Rains leave hundreds of IDPs without shelter

By James Munyeki

Hundreds of displaced people at Mawingu Camp in Ol Kalou constituency were forced to look for alternative shelter after torrential rains destroyed their tents.

Tens of families were left without shelter when the rains washed away more than 50 tents, which had become weaker as they have outlived their tenacity.

The families were forced to share few tents that withstood the rains.

Mawingu camp hosts more than 14,000 post-election violence victims.

Late last year over 20 tents at the camp were swept away forcing the victims to shift to higher grounds.

Worse situation

According to the chairman of the IDPs at the camp Peter Kariuki, the situation is worsened by hailstorms.

He said unless the Government or well-wishers give them new tents, many of the IDPs would be subjected to life without shelter during the current rainy season.

He said the tents were too old to withstand the rains.

"The tents are meant to last for only six months, but are now two years old. Few drops of rain are enough to destroy them," he said.

Kariuki said children and the elderly at the camp were at risk of contaminating diseases due to the cold conditions.

Ol Kalou MP Erastus Mureithi appealed to the Government to intervene and build permanent houses for the victims or resettle them as planned.

Elsewhere, transport along the Rumuruti-Mararal road was paralysed after floods blocked the road.

Motorists were left stranded since they could not cross the Tingamara section due to flash floods.

Many have camped at sections of the road awaiting the rains to subside.