The Kikuyu Council of Elders (Kiama Kia Ma faction) has called on the government to expedite the full resettlement of survivors of the Mai Mahiu flood disaster, which struck on 29 April 2024.
The tragedy killed at least 63 people, displaced hundreds of families, destroying homes and livelihoods after a blocked railway tunnel at the upper Kijabe area burst its walls.
The Naivasha Council Chairperson, Muhuhu Njenga, stated that while landowners affected by the tragedy had been allocated one and a half acres each for resettlement as part of the first cohort of 105 households, the majority lacked the financial means to rebuild.
He noted that many survivors continue to experience mental trauma and economic hardship with some unable to revisit the area they once called home.
“The government must intervene since these families have land but no resources to construct homes or restore their livelihoods”, said Njenga.
He commended donor organisations that supported the rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructure and the rebuilding of homes for the most severely affected families.
Already, the government has completed the rehabilitation of the destroyed railway line in the upper Kujabe area which has enabled the resumption of seamless cargo transport.
Senior council overseer Mbugua wa Kabee echoed the call, urging the state to accelerate compensation and full resettlement.
Speaking at a cultural cleansing ceremony held in Mai Mahiu, he also called on the government to extend land allocation to tenants whose property was destroyed but who have yet to receive any resettlement assistance.
Survivor Kahunyu Karobia, who lost his wife and daughter in the floods, described the government’s allocation of Sh20,000 per family as absolutely inadequate.
While he welcomed the land allocation, he stressed that the provision of social amenities and access roads remained critical to the new piece of land.
“The first cohort of 105 families has received land but the many tenants who were equally affected are still waiting for the promises made to them”, said Karobia.
Council patron, Nyamu Chege, confirmed that more than 100 victims remain unsettled, despite assurances given by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a visit to the area two months ago.
“Two years on, the delayed resettlement has compounded the suffering of these families while urging the government to honour its commitment”, said Chege.
By Erastus Gichohi
