Residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas in Uasin Gishu County have been urged to voluntarily move to safer ground as heavy rains continue to pound various parts of the region.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Abraham Serem, issued the advisory during a project planning meeting attended by engineers, inspectors and surveyors from the department.
He emphasized the need for immediate precautionary measures to avert loss of life and property.
Serem called on technical teams, in collaboration with officers from the Department of Lands, to ensure proper demarcation of riparian lands and prevent settlement in such high-risk areas.
“We must guide our people appropriately, especially when purchasing land and ensure that no construction is done on riparian reserves,” he said.
He noted that recent flooding incidents, including those reported in Elgon View Estate, had necessitated swift intervention by the county government after more than 30 homes were marooned by floodwaters earlier in the week.
The CECM underscored the importance of public awareness on existing regulations, which require a minimum of 30 metres buffer from riverbanks for any development.
“With the continued heavy rainfall, the ground is unable to absorb all the water, increasing the risk of floods,” he added.
Other areas affected by flooding include Ngeria, Megun, Marura and parts of Racecourse. Serem further warned of potential health risks associated with flooding, such as malaria and diarrhoea, and urged residents to remain vigilant.
He reiterated the need for accurate data on vulnerable areas to facilitate relocation efforts and called for intensified public sensitization campaigns.
At the same time, the county government of Uasin Gishu is mapping damaged road infrastructure to prioritize repairs under ongoing initiatives.
Chief Officer for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Geoffrey Tanui and Director of Engineering Julius Ronoh also urged the technical teams to enhance supervision of projects and submit weekly progress reports to ensure efficiency and accountability.
This comes barely a week after the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a heavy rainfall advisory warning of intensified downpours across several parts of the country between March 18 and March 24, 2026.
However, in its latest weekly weather forecast issued yesterday, the department indicated that rainfall is expected to continue in several regions between March 24 and March 30, 2026, although the intensity is likely to gradually reduce as the week progresses.
By Fredrick Maritim
