Met warns of mud and landslides as rains pound region

Residents of Kiamunyi in Nakuru demolishing a wall they claim was blocking water from a neighboring farm. [Harun Wathari/Standard]

Residents living on landslide and mudslide prone areas of Kerio escarpments in Elgeyo Marakwet County will have to move as rains continues to pound the region.

The weathermen fear several earth cracks that emerged during a long dry spell in the area will increase infiltration of rain water and might trigger mud or landslides along the escarpments that stretch from Keiyo South to Marakwet East.

Elgeyo Marakwet meteorological director Simon Cheptot yesterday reported that heavy rains of over 20mm per day will be recorded in several areas of the county towards the weekend.

“Let the residents move to safer grounds.” Mr Chepkok said.

“The heavy rains poses a risk of landslides and mudslides, there is also a risk of rock falls.”

He said the anticipated disaster may block Iten-Tambach-Kabarnet road that meanders across the landslide prone escarpment.

In April last year, the busy road was blocked by rock falls and mudslides, paralysing transport for hours.

Mr Chepkok said floods may be experienced in the lowlands of Kerio Valley owing to impending run-off from the Elgeyo Marakwet highlands.

Some of the areas mapped out as landslide prone in Marakwet East constituency include Embolot, Embotut, Endo, Kaben and Mumol.

In Marakwet West subcounty, Kapcherop, Chebororwa and Kipsaya have been listed.

Other areas singled out in Elgeyo Marakwet include Kapchemutwa, Anin and Keu regions of Keiyo North subcounty, while in Keiyo South, Kabechei, Epke, Kocholwo and Tureia have been identified.

Elsewhere in Naivasha, tens of families yesterday spend the night in the cold after their homes were flooded following a heavy downpour.

Property including food crops and house hold goods were destroyed during the five hour downpour with residents of Moi Ndabi, Ndabibi and Kipkonyo being the most affected.

Floods from the hilly areas of Maella marooned the area.

Business owners in key streets including Kenyatta Avenue, Kariuki Chotara and Mama Ngina were left counting losses running to thousands of shillings following the downpour.

The situation was worsened by blocked drainages around the town after the contractor working on their rehabilitation abandoned the works mid-way.

A business lady Silvia Cherotich who operates a chemist had her shop flooded.

This happen as transport along the Nakuru-Kabarnet Highway was paralysed in neighbouring Nakuru.

Residents of estates in Menengai West Ward held demonstrations following destruction of their homes by the flood waters.

The road remained closed for more than two hours as the residents pointed fingers at a contractor whom they accused of laxity in completing the drainage system.

The family of Joyce Wanjiku narrowly escaped death after their car was overpowered by the flood.

The family had just boarded the car when the floods hit forcing them to alight for safety.

The situation was equally bad for traders in Nyamonye market, Bondo sub-county, who are counting losses following heavy rains accompanied by hailstones that pounded the area over the weekend.

Dozens of businesses in the market have been affected by recent floods, with some businesses reporting up to 70 per cent losses. 

North Yimbo chief Mr Opil Rabut said the neighbouring villages were also affected and expressed fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Report by Stephen Rutto, Antony Gitonga, Kennedy Gachuhi and Isaiah Gwengi.