Hundreds displaced as heavy rains hit Maralal in Samburu

Hundreds of people have been displaced by the ongoing heavy rains in Maralal, Samburu County.

In Samburu Central Sub-County, a number of houses, shops, farms and bridges were swept away by the heavy floods.

The most affected areas are Loikas, Miami, Shabaha, Alamano where homes, shops and roads next to Loikas River were swept away.

The downpour displaced more than 1,500 pupils of Loikas Primary School in Maralal Town after their classes were swept away by floods.

Pupils and their teachers scampered for safety, climbing on top of their desks as the floods washed through classrooms in the school.

More than ten classrooms were affected and, as a result, learning in the school has been suspended.

The school’s headteacher Lucas Saume said many of the pupils spent Monday night away from their homes, most of them putting up with well-wishers.

Several parents reported to the school Tuesday morning to enquire on the whereabouts of their children.

SHOP OWNERS COUNT LOSSES

In Maralal Town, shop owners are counting loses after the floods swept away their goods down the Loikas River.

Transport was crippled for more than six hours on Monday evening as part of Loikas bridge which links Maralal Town and Shabaha, Cereal Board and its environs was swept away by the heavy floods.

Three motorcycle riders and their passengers escaped death narrowly after the heavy water currents swept them away as they attempted to cross over the bridge.

Hundreds of stranded locals watched helplessly before some daring ones rushed to rescue them.

Huge crowds were stranded on both sides of the bridge as they waited for the water to subside.

Several opted to spend their night in guest houses in Maralal Town as others took the risk to walking through the waters after the currents subsided.

Children who attend schools in Maralal Town and in Shabaha and Loikas areas and who use the bridge were the most affected.