New land identified for families displaced by Mai Mahiu floods

ERASTUS GICHOHI-KNA

The Government has moved to fulfil its promise to resettle families displaced by the devastating flash floods that struck Mai Mahiu villages in Nakuru County on April 29, 2024.

Under the initial plan, 230 acres have already been purchased in the Longonot area of Naivasha Sub-County, where 105 original landowners will be resettled and key infrastructure established.

During the tragic incident, more than 60 people died, while scores of others were left with life-long injuries and traumatic experiences after the floods destroyed their homes following the bursting of a blocked railway tunnel in the Upper Kijabe area.

According to Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the State will also identify alternative land to resettle 56 families whose rented homes were equally destroyed by the floods, after concerns were raised that they had been left out of the initial plan.

“All landowners and tenants whose homes and businesses were destroyed by the floods will be provided with land to resettle and restart their livelihoods,” said Kindiki.

Prof. Kindiki who led government officials in the issuance of title deeds to the initial 105 families in Mai Mahiu said each family would also receive Sh20,000 support.

In addition, the Deputy President said the government was undertaking major infrastructure development in the region including modern markets, affordable housing and roads.

He said the construction of the multi-billion-dollar Rironi to Mau Summit road would open up the region, ease perennial traffic gridlock with local youths expected to benefit from job opportunities.

On her part, Lands docket Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said all title deeds for the first batch of 105 families have been processed and would be issued promptly. 

Wahome said the government is resettling all those who were affected by the deadly floods while dismissing politicization of the issue by a section of leaders.

Nixon Korir, the Principal Secretary for Lands said all those affected by the floods have been allocated their plots and issued with title deeds which would help them restart their lives after a two-year wait.

Equally, he said the government would fund the construction of key support infrastructure including markets, schools, and hospitals within the allocated land.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika welcomed the long-awaited process which brought a major relief to the families, lauding President William Ruto of fulfilling his commitment of resettling victims.

She added that the victims had endured measurable suffering after the flooding swept away their years of investments and livelihoods in seconds.

According to Bernard Kamau who lost two sons in the night of horror incident, the move to resettle families was long overdue noting that families have facing untold suffering for the last two years.

Kamau called for investigations to unearth the cause of the accident which left many nursing lifelong trauma noting that government officials who failed to undertake due diligence before the incident should be held accountable.

This was echoed by another victim Samson Njamba, the chair of the tenants association, who termed the resettlement as a move in the right direction and was optimistic that their case to be included for resettlement would be resolved.

Another victim, David Karanja, termed the resettlement as long overdue and called for more support in reconstructing their homes.