Kitui Village residents urge urgent action as rains delay ongoing road construction
The recent downpour flooded homes, soaking bedding and belongings, and preventing children from sleeping or attending school.
The heavy rains sweeping across the country have sparked growing anxiety among residents of Kitui Village in the Majengo Kamukunji constituency.
This area, still recovering from multiple tragedies last year, including devastating floods that displaced many and a deadly fire that destroyed homes and claimed lives, is facing additional challenges.
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A stalled road construction project has exacerbated the situation, with water flooding into homes.
Hellen Atsembo, a fire victim still living in fear, highlights that the rains have already begun causing damage.
"We appreciate the ongoing road construction, as it will help in emergencies like fires. However, the project has stalled, making it increasingly difficult to access the road," Atsembo says.
The construction, which began in December, initially faced few challenges, but the recent heavy rains have caused serious problems. Unredirected sewer lines have contributed to significant flooding, spilling onto the road and into homes.
"During the recent heavy rain, a lot of sewer water entered our houses, and most of us couldn’t sleep because we were busy trying to keep the water at bay. My appeal to the government is to expedite the process before the heavy rains return," Atsembo adds.
Mary Akisa, another resident, emphasizes that the recent rains have underscored the risks the community faces if the road is not repaired properly and promptly. "We appeal to those working on the construction to at least break the stones into smaller particles so the situation can improve. As it stands, it’s very complicated," she says.
The recent downpour flooded homes, soaking bedding and belongings, and preventing children from sleeping or attending school.
"The condition of the road is terrible. We're already suffering when it rains. We appeal for the work to be completed and for the trenches and gaps to be filled properly because we're not used to our houses being flooded," Mary adds.
Kitui village residents in Kamukunji sub-county are urging the government to speed up the ongoing road construction.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) January 30, 2025
They say delays have led to blocked drainage systems and flooding in parts of the area, worsening conditions as the ongoing rains continue. pic.twitter.com/ueLJ8dTHYj
As the March rains approach, many residents have moved to higher ground near the road. However, they fear that if the situation is not resolved, their homes may also be submerged or washed away by the floodwaters.
Reuben Otela, another resident, is concerned about the combined impact of the floods and the ongoing construction. He notes that the recent floods, which affected much of Nairobi, also hit his property, damaging unfinished houses and ruining construction materials.
"The flooding caused by this project could have been avoided," Reuben says, urging the government to take action and address the issues before further damage is done to homes and livelihoods.
Reuben Otela, a resident from Kitui Village. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)
In response to the recent floods, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja acknowledged the persistent struggle despite the efforts in place. He praised the Green Army, a youth initiative contracted by the county to clear clogged drains, but stressed that these efforts have not been enough during heavy downpours.
"We have cleared most of the drainage systems with the help of the Green Army, but when there’s an excess of water, flooding is inevitable. While it will eventually settle, to truly resolve the flooding, we need to invest heavily in expanding the drainage infrastructure," Sakaja explained.
The recurring flooding continues to disrupt various parts of the city. In recent days, two people tragically drowned in floodwaters. Police have warned residents to stay away from rivers and flooded areas, as many water bodies have swelled beyond their normal capacity.
The floods have also caused significant infrastructure damage. In one of the worst incidents, a perimeter wall on Valley Road collapsed, blocking part of the road and causing further delays.
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