Nairobi’s South C, Langata estates submerged after heavy rains

Residents of Nairobi’s South C and Langata estates blocked the Southern by-pass near after their houses were submerged following Thursday night’s rains.

The rains that went on for over six hours are reported to have caused damage to property.

The residents claim that the construction of the Southern by-pass is to blame for the poor drainage in the area which has led to the destruction of their property.

The protesters are now demanding for compensation from Chinese firm, China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is constructing the southern by-pass.

In September last year, the Nairobi City County announced plans to deploy 400 youth in South C area to unclog blocked drainage in preparation of the El Niño rains.

According to Nairobi CEC for Infrastructure and Roads Mohamed Abdulahi, the county government’s decision is guided by the detrimental effects caused by El Niño in 1997 and flash floods of May 2015.

“South C is one of the areas likely to be affected by the El Niño due to its poor drainage that has caused houses to flood during heavy rains.” he said

Abdulahi added that most of these systems have been in place since the colonial time and have become ineffective.

In December 2015, it was reported that close to 50,000 Kenyans had been displaced and were living in 85 displacement camps in the country following heavy rainfall.

Tana River County was the most hit after the seven forks hydro generating dams flooded.

In Turkana,more than 1,000 people were left homeless after Rivers Turkwel and Kawalazee burst their banks, sweeping away the Soweto, Napetet, Kalifonia and Nakerekei villages.

Transport was also paralyzed after the floods rendered roads impassable from Lodwar to Kalokol, Kakuma and Lokichogio with schools in the area also affected.