Heroes of Kiambiu: Brave youths saving lives amid deadly floods

22-year-old Stephen Ochami, a resident of Kiambiu in Kamukunji, is leading a group of youth in rescuing residents swept away by floods that are wreaking havoc across the country. 

Ochami, who spoke to the Eastleigh Voice, says he could not sit back and watch his community reel from the immediate impacts and the aftermath of the floods caused by heavy rains.

Amid the chaos that has seen families around Nairobi, the Eastern, North Eastern, and Coast regions brave cold nights and count losses of unimaginable value, Ochami opted to give back to society by using his swimming and diving skills to save lives. 

As dawn broke over Kiambiu on Tuesday, the community awoke to the harsh reality of the flood's aftermath - a shattered bridge, homes submerged in water, and lives hanging in the balance.

However, as the unsung hero coordinated his team in embarking on the risky exercises, death nearly hit close to home. 

Ochami, a locally trained swimmer, nearly lost his brother, Ibrahim Makokha, who was swept away by a flooded river.

The news that his 17-year-old sibling was staring at death, fighting to survive as the waters dragged him underneath on Tuesday this week, turned his world topsy-turvy. 

"As soon as I heard it was my brother, fear gripped me like never before. But at that moment, I knew I had to act. My diving skills became more than a hobby - they became a lifeline for my flesh and blood," a terrified Stephen Ochami recalls. 

Nicholas Simiyu (left) and Stephen Ochami are renowned for being divers at Kiambiu village in Kamukunji. (Photo/Justine Ondieki)He had saved other lives in the community, but the thought of navigating the deadly waters in search of his own brother was terrifying. This, he says, is one of the moments when divers are overwhelmed with emotion, lose focus, and put their own lives at risk. 

He had to remain focused, especially on his unwavering determination to save his sibling, who was also a locally trained diver. 

"The realisation that my swimming skills could one day mean the difference between life and death for my flesh and blood... it's a reality that hit me like a wave," Stephen confides, his voice tinged with emotion. 

After pulling his brother out of the water and administering first aid to him with the assistance of local emergency responders, Ochami breathed a heavy sigh of relief, before he broke down into tears. 

He also embraced his brother, engulfed by emotions as the two were lost for words. 

Ibrahim Makokha, Ochami’s 17-year-old brother, recounted the terror of being swept away by the currents, his life flashing before his eyes, until his brother came to his rescue.

"It was like a nightmare," Ibrahim recalls, his voice trembling with the haunting memories. "But thanks to those who sounded the alarm, I'm here today."

Makokha was standing at the riverbank, observing as neighbours attempted to salvage their belongings, when suddenly the water current splashed and carried him away.

"For some time, I was not myself. I was really scared and traumatised. But I'm grateful to be alive,” he adds. 

17-year-old boy, Ibrahim Makokha was rescued by his brother Stephen Ochami from drowning at a river in Kiambiu village, Kamukunji on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (PhotoJustine Ondieki)

Nicholas Simiyu, aged 22, recounted another act of heroism. With quick reflexes and steadfast determination, he and his companions sprung into action to rescue an elderly man battling the water currents. 

"We're always on guard," Simiyu explains, his eyes shining with determination. "Here, every moment counts." 

Simiyu adds that their shoe and boutique business, which was swept away by the floods, was located around the river, which made them ready to lend a hand whenever needed. 

With incidents of children or adults falling into the water becoming rampant during the current rainy season, and the bridge destroyed, Simiyu is worried that the situation can only deteriorate further.

As floods continue to wreak havoc across the nation, the importance of local divers like Ochami, Makoha, and Nicholas becomes increasingly clear.

On Wednesday, opposition leader, Raila Odinga, urged the national government to declare floods a national disaster.

Raila said that the ongoing rains were increasing daily and that the disaster would worsen if not addressed immediately. He further advised the government to launch a multi-agency operation around Nairobi City but also extend the same efforts to rural areas.

"It is our urgent appeal that the President and government hereby declare the floods a national disaster and immediately activate all emergency mechanisms, including military disaster response teams," Raila appealed.

In response, President William Ruto directed a multi-agency team comprising the ministries of Interior and EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, and the National Youth Service to immediately step up flood response.