By Michael Saitoti and Edwin Cheserek

Four people were killed in Samburu East after being swept away by the fierce waters of Ewaso Nyiro River.

Among the dead were two Maasai warriors, a woman, and a child who were swept away as they attempted to cross the river that had burst its banks. An elephant was also swept away by the raging waters yesterday.

According to Tom Lolosoli, a resident, they watched helplessly as the four struggled to stay afloat but could do nothing.

“It is unfortunate there was nothing we could do as we saw our colleagues being swept away. Earlier they had been warned against trying to cross the river but defied,” he said.

And in Suguta Marmar, trucks ferrying goods to Maralal and Baragoi have been stranded for the last eight days as the roads have been rendered impassable.

Truck drivers said some of the goods they were ferrying had gone to waste and business people were counting losses. “The commodities and perishable foodstuffs that we were transporting have gone bad because of the long hours on the roads,” said Ngigi Kamau, a truck driver.

Public Service Vehicles have suspended their operations in the region because of poor roads. In the last one week, flash floods have intensified in the entire Samburu.

CONFINED TO HOMES

Veronica Lesadala, a resident, said residents had been confined to their homes.

“You cannot go anywhere. There is water everywhere and no road is passable at the moment,” she said. Livestock markets have also been closed. Samburu Governor Moses Lenelkulal termed the floods in the county a disaster that needs immediate intervention from the central government.

Meanwhile, a three-year-old child was swept away by floods while a family lost seven cows in Marakwet East District as the ongoing rains continued to wreak havoc.

The child reportedly drowned as he attempted to cross a bridge while accompanied by other children. The incident occurred yesterday in Sambirir ward, which is one of the areas prone to mudslides due to its topographical landscape.

A witness said the minors were playing in an open field and decided to rush home when it started raining.