Unyielding hope amidst adversity: Kitui Village's battle against nature's wrath

The minds of the residents of Kitui Village in Majengo, Pumwani location are besieged by one question: What will happen if another tragedy strikes? Their gaze remains fixed on the rising water levels of the Nairobi River as heavy rains relentlessly batter the city.

Earlier this week, Joshua Mburu, the assistant chief of Majengo, went from house to house pleading with residents along the riverbanks in Kitui Village to evacuate and relocate to higher ground.

This urgent plea was prompted by meteorological forecasts predicting the possibility of even heavier rains than those that caused last month's devastating tragedy, displacing over 300 families.

However, despite Joshua's warnings, days later, the majority of residents have yet to budge, holding onto hope that tragedy will not strike again.

Among them is Thomas Musyoka, a 70-year-old resident living near the river, who recalls the trauma of last month's floods but remains steadfast in his decision to stay in his home.

"I long for nothing more than to move to a safer place for my sick wife and me, but financial constraints hold us back," Thomas shares, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Our belongings were swept away in the last flood, and we're barely getting by."

Thomas mentions that their limited resources have been exhausted on medication since they cannot access free medical services due to the ongoing strike.

"We cling to hope and pray fervently that God will spare us this time and keep us safe. However, houses on higher ground are beyond our reach, especially now that landlords have hiked prices in response to the increased demand following the recent floods. We simply cannot afford it. Many demand upfront payment, which we do not have."

With tears welling in his eyes, Thomas expresses his hope that compassionate individuals will come forward to assist them, as no help has arrived yet. "I dread the thought of water seeping through, especially with my wife's fragile condition. It would be agonising for both of us and our family."

Anxiety

As I continued my stroll through Kitui Village, engaging with the residents, I observed groups of people silently watching by the riverbank, their hopes hanging in the air. Not far away, another distressed family, Wycliffe Ambuka and wife, Florence Nyapendi, adds to the atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty.

Wycliffe Ambuka, a 38-year-old father, opens up about his worries amidst the relentless rain. "We're still trying to pick up the pieces from the last flood that washed away everything we had. Moving to a new place is just not something we can afford," he confides, his concern etched on his face.

Wycliffe Ambuka, a 38-year-old father in Kitui Village. (Photo: Charity Kilei/EV)

Wycliffe explains that even if they wanted to move, they're burdened with hefty medical bills awaiting clearance at the hospital, leaving them with no choice but to stay put.

"When the last flood hit, my pregnant sister-in-law fell ill and had to undergo surgery at Pumwani Hospital. Now she's in ICU at Kenyatta Hospital," Wycliffe shares, his voice trembling with emotion. He adds that they can barely scrape together enough for transportation to check on both the baby and her in critical condition.

"I've got five kids to take care of, and putting food on the table is already a struggle. We'd welcome the idea of moving, but without help, it's just not possible," he appeals, hoping someone will hear their plea for assistance.

His wife, Florence Nyapendi, sits quietly, lost in thought. "If no one helps, we'll just have to wait it out. I've got so much on my plate. My sister's in the hospital, and I've got little ones to look after. We rely on my husband, but this flood has hit us hard," she admits, her eyes clouded with worry. Florence explains they haven't had the chance to properly clean up since they returned, not knowing where else to go.

Florence Nyapendi, a resident of Kitui Village. (Photo: Charity Kilei/EV)

"Our rent is Sh3,500, but moving would cost us Sh6,000. Some landlords even demand cash deposits. Where are we supposed to find that kind of money?" Florence wonders aloud, her voice tinged with frustration and desperation.

Last month's devastating floods, which struck on a Sunday night, caught many people off guard, leaving them stranded without assistance.

In response, Kilonzo Nzuki, the chairperson of Kitui Village residents, joined forces with local community leaders to implement initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety of their people during this rainy season.

Kilonzo Nzuki, the chairperson of Kitui Village residents. (Photo: Charity Kilei/EV)

"The floods last month took us by surprise and caused significant loss. Despite our efforts to urge residents to move to higher ground, many are unable to do so due to financial constraints. Therefore, we've launched an initiative to monitor water levels closely. If it starts seeping into homes, we'll evacuate people to the nearest churches or open fields to prevent further loss of life," Kilonzo explains, emphasising the importance of proactive measures.

Kilonzo adds that they've established a communication system among themselves to quickly alert one another in case of emergencies. "I have a team of volunteers who are ready to assist with rescue efforts if needed. We have to rely on ourselves since help hasn't arrived despite our pleas and efforts. If another tragedy strikes, I fear for what may happen, but we're vigilant to ensure everyone's safety and prevent any loss of life."

Earlier this week, the village faced yet another crisis when a fire swept through 66 houses, leaving dozens homeless and without their belongings. Despite this, help has been slow to arrive, forcing villagers to seek alternative accommodations as they rebuild their lives from the ruins.

A fire engine after a fire swept through Kitui village in Majengo, Pumwani location on April 3, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Assistant Chief Joshua Mburu confirmed that they've received the list of affected families and are actively pursuing assistance from relevant authorities.