Eldama Ravine: The residents of Bondeni and Shauri Yako in Eldama Ravine who were victims of floods last year have bounced back from the tragedy and are ready to face the rains.
According to Kenya News Agency, breaking away from the common practice of calling on the government, the residents along the Perkerra River have devised ingenious ways to mitigate the effects of flooding during this rainy season even as they await a permanent solution.
The residents were pushed by the perils of floods, which they recount a year after the ordeal. Area resident Margaret Namana recounted the ordeal she faced during last year’s rainy season, which forced her to relocate for two months.
‘We had to rent another house on the other side of town for our safety. Although everything was swept away by the floods, we had to start life afresh,’ said Namana.
During the construction of a new road near Chambai, residents requested the soil excavated during the process to be dumped in their area to help raise their compound levels. ‘Several lorries full of soil were brought, and most households used it to elevate the fences facing the river to prevent floodwater from entering our homes,’ Namana explained.
However, even with these temporary measures, underground water seepage continues to pose a challenge. ‘We can’t stop the underground water, but we’ve covered our floors with polythene papers to prevent underground water from seeping through, which dries up when the rain stops,’ she added. Sleepless nights are now a norm during storms, as residents live in fear of rising waters.
They, however, know the inadequacies of stormwater infrastructure, with another affected resident, Leonard Kipkogei pointing out the inefficiency of drainage systems in the area. He blames small culverts for recurring flooding.
‘The culverts are too small and get overwhelmed whenever it rains. Water overflows into our homes, putting our health, especially that of young children, at risk. We have to rush home before the rains start or risk being stranded,’ he said.
Some residents who managed to raise the levels of their compounds have noticed improved resilience, as evidenced by newly sprouting grass on the elevated areas. But many, like Samwel Maigwo, are urging the government to step in and offer long-term solutions. ‘We need the government to help us raise the ground level and install proper drainage and larger culverts. Only then will we feel safe,’ Maigwo emphasized.
According to the latest forecast by the Kenya Meteorological Department, isolated heavy rainfall is expected to continue across several counties, including Baringo, posing a threat to flood-prone areas and also landslides, which claimed several lives in Baringo North in the last season. ‘Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are likely to be witnessed in the counties of Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Narok,’ the Met report stated.
As the rains persist, Bondeni and Shauri residents remain on edge, hoping for immediate intervention to prevent another devastating season of displacement and loss.