More than 50 families in Ponda Mali and Rhonda informal settlements in Nakuru Town West constituency have been displaced following a downpour on Monday night.
The families now fear possible outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases after water pipes and toilets were damaged by raging flood waters.
Apart from loss of properties, school-going children had uniforms and books swept away. According to Fred Ondiek, one of the victims, the downpour started at around 6.30pm on Wednesday but there was no cause for alarm as the area is not prone to flooding.
He expressed shock that, at around 7pm, their houses were swamped with water destroying property. “I have lived in this place for two years and even during rainy season, we are never affected,” he said.
According to the landlord Emmanuel Andika, a local contractor maintaining a road adjacent to the plot is to blame for the floods because he allegedly redirected the drainage system to the residential area.
“I have been here for over 10 years and not a single year were have been affected by flood waters, the contractor should do a diligent work on the road drainage system.” Andika said.
Gladys Oleo, a tenant, expressed fear that waterborne diseases outbreak was inevitable. “The government and the Red Cross Society of Kenya should come to our rescue because we have nowhere to turn to.
Our children have no books, uniforms and a place to live,” she said. Meanwhile, the area Deputy County Commissioner Elmi Shaffi visited the affected families and promised government support.
“Area chief will collect the names of the affected families so that they can get food, clothes, bedding aid from the government,” said Sahfi.
He also called upon the said contractor to rectify the damage. “Let us also vacate to safer grounds to avoid casualties and possibility of loss of life,” he said.
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