Nakuru County has formally requested assistance from the national government to address the plight of families displaced by the rising waters of Lake Naivasha. Over 5,000 families have been displaced, along with numerous landowners who possess legitimate title deeds and have suffered significant property losses.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the county has taken action by providing food supplies and personal items to the affected families. County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura highlighted that the flooding crisis began in 2020 and has progressively worsened.
Presently, many families have been displaced, and those who remain in flooded homes are at risk of waterborne diseases due to contaminated latrines.
Dr. Mwaura urged residents living in flooded areas to relocate to safer locations, emphasizing that water levels are not receding. Lakeview MCA Alex Mbugua echoed the urgency of the situation, noting that recent disasters, including the Mai Mahiu incident, have strained the county’s disaster response resources.
Mbugua emphasized that many of the affected individuals in Kihoto estate are flower farm workers, some of whom struggle to afford relocation costs. Additionally, landlords have exploited the situation by increasing rent prices, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected residents.
Joyce Ncece, the Chief Officer for Public Health, assured residents that despite the flooding of latrines and boreholes, no cases of waterborne diseases have been reported in the estate. However, the situation remains critical, underscoring the need for urgent government intervention and support to mitigate the ongoing crisis.
