A ten-year-old boy was on Tuesday rescued by the National Police Service using a helicopter after he was marooned by flood waters in Nduani village,Yatta subcounty.
The minor Mutuku Kioko was evacuated by the police helicopter after several unsuccessful rescue attempts led by the Kenya Red Cross due to the ravaging flood waters caused by heavy rains.
Police reports indicate that Mutuku had been left behind by his father, Martin Kioko after water levels near their home started rising.
Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia said the helicopter was called in after efforts to rescue the stranded minor using boats proved futile.
“Rescue teams were initially trying to evacuate the boy who got marooned using boats. He had been stranded in the flooded area for a while and we had to use a chopper to rescue him,” said Lobolia.
The minor was taken to the hospital after evacuation and later reunited with his family.
The police boss described the flooding situation in Machakos as alarming and asked residents especially those living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds.
He also cautioned residents against crossing flooded rivers and bridges or wading through any flooded waters that may put their lives at risk.
“River Athi has burst its banks due to the current heavy rains leading to flooding in most parts of the county. Residents should exercise caution and vigilance to prevent any dangers related to flooding,” said the police commander.
Lobolia attributed the flooding in Athiriver subcounty that has left a trail of destruction to the low-lying topography.
“That’s why we are asking locals living in those low-land areas to move to higher ground,” added the police boss.
He also called on motorists to exercise caution on the roads to avoid accidents during this rainy season.
Meanwhile, 34 people who were evacuated from their homes in Kinanie, Athiriver subcounty due to flooding are currently seeking shelter at the Kinanie dispensary.
According to Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Mwangi, the affected persons will remain in the shelter until the government declares their homes safe.
“It is impossible for them to go back to their homes since the ongoing rains are still heavy,” said Mwangi.
The DCC blamed the flooding on poor drainage in the area.
By Roselyne Kavoo
