Floods
Some 27 families in Likii informal settlement, Laikipia County were left homeless after their houses were destroyed by floods following heavy rainfall that led to the Likii River bursting its banks.
Monica Gathigia, a Likii resident whose house of more than 10 years was flattened by the flood after the heavy downpour in the Mount Kenya forest said that she watched desperately as her iron sheet house was destroyed by the raging waters.
“It was a desperate moment for us as we tried to save the children as the water levels kept rising but luckily, we managed to escape and watched our house being brought down by raging waters which also carried our household items,” said Ms Gathigia.
She revealed that the 7pm incident caught them unawares after she had just arrived from work and found her house destroyed by the flash floods where she immediately tried to save her three children.
“It was a desperate moment for us as we tried to save the children as the water levels kept rising but luckily, we managed to escape and watched our house being brought down by raging waters which also carried our household items,” said Ms Gathigia.
Another house in Likii informal settlement that was flattened by flash floods following heavy downpour in Mount Kenya forest. The rainfall led to the Likii River to burst its banks hence destroying the unknown value of property in the village.
Mwangi Kago a Likii resident urged the government to intervene and support the affected families.
She termed the current rains unfortunate saying for over 50 years, they had never witnessed such an incident. “This river has not broken its banks in the last 50 years including during the 1997 El- Nino rainfall. Last night is a day we shall live to remember,” he said.
Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli said 27 families were affected by the floods which destroyed the residential houses.
“So far I can confirm a total of 27 households were affected but I am heading to the ground to confirm the exact number,” Muli said on phone.
The incident comes barely a week after Nanyuki River which is barely meters away broke its bank displacing curio traders and tree growers.