Over 700 people displaced in Mwea after Thiba River bursts banks due to heavy rains

Property of unknown value was destroyed as flood waters raged through farmlands at the vast Mwea irrigation scheme. 

Residents say, they have never experienced this kind of flooding in the last three decades and are calling for immediate humanitarian assistance at a time the weatherman predicts sustained heavy rains for the next four days.

 “Hili jambo mara ya mwisho kutendeka lazima ikuwa kitu 1980s ndio tuliona maji aina hii saa hii ata watu elfu kadhaa hawana mahali ya kulala hawana kitu ya kukula,” said a Thiba resident Dominic Murungi.

Another resident Tony Kamau added: “Saa hii tumefunga mabiashara hatuna place ya kukaa hatuna kitu ya kukula chakula imeharibikia huko kwa nyumba so tunaomba serikali ituone vile itatusaidia

Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow Hussein revealed that he had sought assistance from the National Irrigation Authority, to desilt the river and expand the canals leading into the farmlands in order to drain water from the flooded villages 

“Tunahimiza watu wakuwe waangalifu na wasikae tu wakisema ati wanangojea maji sababu hii mvua inaweza endelea kuongezeka sasa mimi namabia wananchi tuhame na tuende tukae sehemu ya juu ile upande ya Thiba Primary na Thiba Secondary,” Hussein said.

In a forecast published on Tuesday, the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain advisory in various areas including the Central highlands, Rift Valley, Western Kenya and the coastal region. 

The rains are expected to persist up to April 8, 2024.