Heavy rain in Murang’a leaves a trail of destruction

Destruction caused by heavy rains in Murang’a county/KNA

Heavy rainfall that has been witnessed in many parts of Murang’a county has left locals, especially traders and farmers counting losses.

From Friday night, Murang’a town and its environs experienced heavy downpour that wreaked havoc in the Mukuyu open-air market.

On Sunday, the traders woke up to a rude shock after they found their merchandise, especially cereals, were destroyed by water that flooded the market.

The members of the business community blamed some individuals who they claim have constructed structures blocking the drainage system.

Destruction caused by heavy rains in Murang’a county/KNA

They decried that manholes were blocked by those undertaking construction without following the stipulated guidelines, thus causing water to flood the market, leading to the destruction of goods.

One of the traders, Peter Njuguna, argued that the flooding had been caused by blocked manholes and sewer lines, calling on the county government to unblock sewerage systems and evacuate those who have constructed structures on manholes.

Destruction caused by heavy rains in Murang’a county/KNA

Njuguna stressed that the county administration should reclaim the waterways from the individuals who grabbed them.

“The heavy losses incurred by the traders are blamed on the individuals who blocked the drainage system,” He added, lamenting that the incurred losses will have a huge negative impact on the traders.

Mukuyu Chief Adams Kariuki led the residents to unblock the drainage, resulting in the flow of the stagnant water.

“With the local leaders, we shall move to ensure the drainage systems are opened to avoid flooding in the future,” said the administrator.

Elsewhere in Maragua area, farmers were counting losses after the rain water destroyed their crops.

Destruction caused by heavy rains in Murang’a county/KNA

One of the local farmers, Felista Njoki, said her vegetables were two weeks to maturity, but unfortunately, they were swept away by raging water leaving her counting heavy losses.

“It is a major blow as I expected to take the produce to the market before the end of this month, but floods have destroyed all my vegetables.,” She decried.

In Kangema sub-county, one home was forced to relocate after a landslide hit and destroyed one of their houses.

 According to local authorities, a number of homes in the area are at risk of being hit by landslides, with calls being made for those who live in landslide-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds.

 Infrastructure, especially roads were not spared by the heavy rainfall as the road connecting Kanyenyaini and Tuthu trading centres was rendered impassable after it was cut off by a landslide.

Murang’a director of meteorology Peter Mutu said many parts of the county will continue to experience heavy downpours in the next five days cautioning residents to be vigilant especially those who stay in landslide and flood prone areas.

“Parts especially in upper zones of Murang’a, will continue to experience heavy rains and I appeal to locals to be cautious of possible landslides.” He told KNA via phone call.