Two boys drown as heavy rains persist
Families scoop water from their houses at Rhonda Estate in Nakuru on November 26, 2015 after heavy rains pounded the area. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- An eight-year-old boy was yesterday swept away by floods at Kiramwok in Bomet County while swimming in Chepkositonik River with five friends. The body is yet to be retrieved.
- Kenya Red Cross Society Tana River and Kitui Regional Manager Gerald Bombe said by phone the most affected areas include Madogo, Masabubu and Gubani as well as 14 villages in Tana Delta Sub-County.
- Farmers are counting losses after their crops were washed away. Sections of the Tala – Thika, Machakos – Kangundo and Tala – Kinyui -Mbiuni roads were washed away.
Two boys drowned on Thursday while hundreds of people were displaced as heavy rains continued to pound many parts of the country.
An eight-year-old boy was yesterday swept away by floods at Kiramwok in Bomet County while swimming in Chepkositonik River with five friends. The body is yet to be retrieved.
According to Bomet Deputy Governor Stephen Mutai, the deceased was a Standard One pupil at Kiramwok Primary School.
The incident brings to three the number of people who have died in the last one week in the region as a result of heavy rains.
While condoling the bereaved families, the deputy governor urged parents to monitor the movement of their children.
On Tuesday, Kenya Red Cross manager in charge of Bomet and Kericho counties Benson Simba said two people had drowned in the past one week. He said one died in Chebitet and the other at Kipsonoi River Bomet County.
In Kirinyaga, a 10-year-old school boy drowned yesterday in Kirinyaga County.
The pupil was crossing the flooded Rwamuthambi River at Gitaku Village when he was swept downstream.
Villagers said the boy was picking coffee with his mother when he left unnoticed and went to the river.
The child’s father David Migwi said he is optimistic the body of his son would be found. Police are looking for the body.
In Tana River, at least 4,040 families have been displaced after River Tana burst its banks.
Kenya Red Cross Society Tana River and Kitui Regional Manager Gerald Bombe said by phone the most affected areas include Madogo, Masabubu and Gubani as well as 14 villages in Tana Delta Sub-County.
In Hola Town, heavy rains that pounded the town and its environs on Saturday and Monday have destroyed drainage systems.
The Nairobi City County Government has set aside Sh400 million to procure drainage equipment. This was revealed in the assembly on Wednesday when Makongeni Ward Rep Peter Imwatok demanded a statement on the action City Hall Hall is taking to deal with flooding.
In Isiolo the National Environment Management Authority wants engineers at the Isiolo International Airport to come up with measures to curb flooding.
Nema county director Jackson Muturo told the engineers to divert water from the runway, which is causing flooding in the town.
He said the construction of the airport and roads on the upper side of Isiolo Town changed the water course.
In Machakos, a downpour caused havoc in Matungulu Sub-County on Wednesday night. Several homes and shops in Tala Town were marooned.
Farmers are counting losses after their crops were washed away. Sections of the Tala – Thika, Machakos – Kangundo and Tala – Kinyui -Mbiuni roads were washed away.
In Kisii, the county government has deployed more than 200 youths to unclog blocked drainages in region.
Governor James Ongwae, who presided over the function, said most areas within the town including Daraja Mbili Bridge and Falcon-Umoja Centre are hit by floods.
Reported by Geoffrey Rono, Brian Moseti, George Munene, Lillian Mutavi, Vivian Jebet and Gastone Valusi
