Residents Face Heavy Losses as Flash Floods Ravage Entire Village

Residents in Sirendi village, Namanjalala, Trans-Nzoia County, are incurring huge losses following a night of flash floods that destroyed property in the area.

The floods, which started due to continuous rainfall in the region, caught residents off guard as water levels rose to submerge homes in the area.

A resident in the area said, “My village has been severely affected.Today is Thursday 19 March, and the rain started yesterday at around 6 p.m. We thought it was the usual rainfall, but it continued for hours, from evening until late into the night. It has caused massive destruction, children’s books have been swept away, uniforms lost, and houses have collapsed. The child I am carrying on my back was rescued from the floods.”

The resident added, “We found him in a flooded house, in a corner, with water almost reaching the walls. He was alone in the house with his father.”

The scale of destruction has overwhelmed the small community, with local leaders struggling to assess the full extent of the damage as families seek shelter and basic necessities.

Extent of Damage and Emergency Response

Rose Kawa, a local clan leader, recounted how the disaster unfolded in the early hours of the morning.

“My name is Rose Kawa, and I am the head of the clan from Sirendi village. At around 1 a.m., a chairman from my clan called me and said, ‘Mama Mtaa, the water has flooded our homes, and ten houses have already collapsed.’ When I went to confirm, I found that the number had exceeded ten houses.”

She added, “When the rains started yesterday evening, it seemed normal. We do not know where the flash floods came from.”

Residents say the floods intensified rapidly, giving them little time to evacuate or salvage belongings.

Many were forced to flee in the dark, navigating rising waters with children on their backs.

Also Read:Kenya Met Explains Cause of Current Heavy Rains and Floods

Families Left Homeless and Vulnerable

Another victim of the flooding, who saw his house completely washed away, narrated a desperate situation he found himself in on the night of the flooding.

“I tried calling my neighbors, but I realized they had already escaped the raging floods and abandoned their homes. I struggled with my children, and we remained in the water until morning.”

He further said, “My house has collapsed. I have nowhere to live. I am asking the government to help me.”

The flooding has resulted in many families being left homeless, with over 30 houses reportedly damaged.

The victims have lost personal belongings, including school materials and clothes.

Also Read: 10 Buildings You Should Take Shelter in When Nairobi CBD Floods

Urgent Calls for Government Intervention

The residents are now calling for urgent intervention from the government, including temporary accommodation, food, and resettlement plans.

One of the residents was keen to explain how urgent this problem is and said, “We need a camp where these people can live from now on. We need a safe place for them.”

The man also asked the government to visit the area and said, “I ask our leaders to come to Sirendi village today and see the situation for themselves so they can plan effectively.”

The man also highlighted some of the challenges that are ahead and said, “More than 30 houses have been destroyed by floods. Even if we are given building materials like iron sheets, where will we build? Even if we are given food like rice, how will we cook and eat it?”

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