Counties
Six killed, homes destroyed in floods crisis
An aerial view of River Chania in Nyeri on May 14, 2012. The river broke its banks on May 15, 2012 following heavy rains along its catchment areas. Farmers downstream counted heavy losses as their crops were washed away. Photo/JOSEPH KANYI
Posted Tuesday, May 15 2012 at 22:30
Six people have been killed in separate incidents as rains continue to wreak havoc in parts of the country.
In Baringo, two people drowned after Kisok River in Salawa division burst its banks and swept them away.
This brings to five the number of people who have drowned in Baringo County due to heavy rainfall.
Kapropita Soi location chief Sammy Kiptoros said the body of one of the victims Wilson Chelelgo, 50, was retrieved but the second one is yet to be found.
“We’ve mobilised residents living downstream to be on the lookout for a floating body and alert us. I’m also liaising with my colleagues in those areas,” said the chief.
Mr Kiptoros said heavy rains have also rendered many roads impassable with more than 1,300 households on the verge of starvation.
In Gucha District, a Form Three student of Riokindo Boys High School drowned in the swollen Ogaga River where he had gone to swim with friends.
In Nyamagwa sub-location, a 12-year-old boy died while swimming in a pool of water.
A two-year-old girl who had gone to take a bath at River Nyasare in Migori County, also drowned on Tuesday.
Heavy rains hampered efforts to rescue her. Her body was recovered two hours later and buried.
In Busia County, another two-year-old girl died in Walatsi location after raging floods brought down the house she was sleeping in.
According to councillor Jack Wambulwa of Walatsi Ward, the floods swept the house as her parents were out digging trenches to divert water that had flooded the compound.
“Her parents were not aware that raging floods had already stormed the house,” said Mr Wambulwa. The heavy rains have rendered many roads impassable.
About 120 people in Kisioi County have been moved to Emanga PAG Church after their houses developed deep cracks and walls collapsed in Nyamache district.
The cracks emerged last week and continued to spread forcing DC Stanley Too to evacuate the residents.
Nyamache DC Stanley Too urged residents to stay at the church until geologists assess the damage.
“We have informed the provincial geologist to access the extent of the damage that has destroyed about 20 houses,” said Mr Too.
Area MP Chris Obure asked Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi to help affected families. “There are close to 120 people residing at the church without food and proper facilities,” said Obure.
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