Farmers at Kipipiri village count losses as hailstorm destroys crops weeks to harvest

The farmers were looking forward to harvesting their potatoes in three weeks but are now left high and dry as a hailstorm destroyed their crops.

The hailstorm came after three days of light showers.

On Tuesday evening, the area experienced strong winds, before a dark cloud filled the sky and within a few minutes, heavy rains pounded, accompanied by lightning and hailstones.

Residents were left shocked at the aftermath.

Mercy Ngigi, a resident, recounted how the rains pounded and within minutes, their entire field of potatoes had been totally destroyed.

Gichuki Nderitu, another resident, said, "I was in the house with my children when the storm started and a little while after, I saw hailstones."

Robbert Nyokabi, a farmer, lamented that farmers had great hopes to harvest their potatoes but as a result of the rain, they have now been left with nothing.

The residents said the destruction was one of the worst in recent history since they were coming from the drought that had also seen them start depending on relief food.

While some farmers reported heavy losses on crops in farms, others reported death of their livestock.