By E, KNA
Thousands of residents of flooded Kihoto informal Settlement in Naivasha are facing apparent danger of attacks from invading hippos from Lake Naivasha with school children being the most exposed.
The Months-long flooding has engulfed tens of homes affecting over 15,000 residents who are also facing imminent threats of contaminating waterborne diseases including cholera.
According to area MCA Alex Mbugua, over 3,000 households with 15,000 residents have so far been affected by the rising water levels of the lake noting that majority of them are unable to vacate due to lack of funds.
Mbugua said now the residents are living in fear of being attacked by roaming wild animals especially the hippos as well as threats of emergence of diseases that may have major health repercussions.
He said it is time the government resolved the now annual occurrence by compensating the rightful owners of the properties affected and seal off the area from being inhabited.
The MCA noted that majority of owners have valid title deeds sourced from government agencies and therefore have the right to be compensated before being vacated from the area.
This comes after the CS for Lands, Housing and Resettlement Hon. Alice Wahome said the government plans to relocate the residents who premises are constructed on the lake riparian land in the coming months.
Wahome who had visited Naivasha lands registry said her ministry will move to earmark the lake boundaries before any relocation plans are affected.
According to one resident Josiah Okumu, they face daily risks of being attacked by the hippos as they invade the flooded homes with school going children being the most exposed.
In addition, Okumu said the residents are also risks being infected with cholera as area toilets have been flooded and sewer system blocked.
He decried lack of government support for the affected persons to facilitate them to vacate the area noting that most residents are still living in flooded homes due to lack of funds to move out.
On her part, Rose Adayo said the flooding has crippled area businesses that were supporting tens of families at the low-Income housing units with most unable to feed their families and enable them move out to other neighborhoods
She said the residents are fearing being attacked hippos who have turned the flooded homes their habitat adding that the government should support them to move out and evade danger.
Nancy Atieno said families are facing mounting challenges including being exposed to diseases, hippo attacks which pose a major health threat in-case of an outbreak.
The besieged Kihoto estate, home to thousands of low-paid flower farm workers and fisher folk communities has been plagued with myriads of challenges including crime, murders, suicides among others.
The estate near Naivasha town is now in the limelight once again with desperate calls by residents for help and support but which has for weeks have not been forthcoming.
Lake Naivasha has been one of the water bodies within the Rift Valley region which has experienced rising water levels which has left thousands of people displaced and tens of properties destroyed and others submerged.
As water bodies reclaim their original boundaries, the scenario has led to question on how tens of property owners within the lakes gazette riparian zones secured claimed original titles.
As government ponder the idea of relocating the affected residents, the whip must fall on those who were involved in issuance of illegal and fraudulent tittles.