The government needs to marshal more than sh. 53 million to aid the rehabilitation of damaged road networks and other infrastructures by floods that hit Mai Mahiu two weeks ago claiming many lives.
The tragic incident on the morning of Sunday, April 29 left a trail of destruction to area residential homes, roads, and bridges after they were swept away by unforgiving waters occasioned by a burst of a blocked old railway tunnel in the upper Kijabe area.
According to Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu, sh. 53 million is needed to facilitate rehabilitation works including over 24 kilometres of damaged roads over the next two months. Kisilu lauded the already deployed team of the National Youth Service and the Military for the speedy reconstruction of parts of the affected cut-off areas that have enabled students to access their schools.
To spearhead reconstruction works, Kisilu said an infrastructure committee has been formed and tasked with overseeing that all affected areas are rehabilitated in the next two months. Kisilu said schools reopening were successful noting that only the Mai Mahiu boys and the Ngeya Secondary used as shelter for affected families had been affected but has since been cleared.
The DCC added that area MP Jayne Kihara had committed to cater for school fees for the affected students through the CDF kitty with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua donating sh. 2 million for other student’s needs. In addition, the deputy commissioner lauded efforts from Kenyans who have since donated essential commodities and cash donations that will cater for student’s uniforms, books, and boxes.
Kisilu at the same time said the government’s move to set up a Huduma centre in Mai Mahiu has seen over 1,000 people supported in recovering their lost documents and records.
Consequently, the DCC added that an education committee consisting of education officials and local leaders had been formed to ensure all the affected students resume their studies, benefit from the fees program and get other crucial necessities. With the schools reopening, Kisilu tasked teachers to take caution of the ongoing flooding in their schools and advised students against areas where unforeseen danger may occur.
As the revamped search of missing persons enters the third week, the DCC said 62 persons have been confirmed dead, and tens still missing with fears that they are still buried or were swept away to far-flung areas.
“Yesterday, one body was recovered almost 20 km from the scene at Utheri wa Rari area, so we have not given up and the search continues, “said the DCC. Kisilu added that a resettlement committee has been activated to collect data on the affected persons, and properties lost ahead of the scheduled government resettlement exercise.
So far, a total of 149 households affected by the flooding incident are being housed at area-established care centres and area rental houses where they continue to receive psychosocial support care as they process the harsh reality of their lost ones. Consequently, the deputy county commissioner said the state has allocated Sh. 9 million to cater for burial expenses with families getting between Sh150,000 to 200,000.
Last week, 13 individuals who succumbed to the fatal flood tragedy were laid to rest at different locations with tearful families calling for a thorough search for their missing kin.
Kisilu said other areas that were affected by flooding include Huruma village in Moi Ndabi where 164 households were affected but noted that the situation has now been contained.