Traders in Suswa Trading Centre in Narok East Sub County are a counting their loses after flash floods swept through their business premises destroying property worth millions of shillings.
The floods were experienced on Tuesday night, following a heavy downpour that continued to early morning hours bringing businesses in the town located along the Narok-Mai Mahiu Highway to a standstill.
For a better part of Tuesday, the business persons were seen clearing debris from their business premises, with most of their stock having been soaked in water.
The residents led by local Member of County Assembly (MCA), Kipas Ole Lengwes lamented that they had incurred huge losses as water penetrated into their shops and houses sweeping everything therein.
“No one was aware that such an incident would occur, it came as a surprise as the waters from the upper lands swept through the trading center and the nearby homes,” said Ole Lengwes.
The MCA called on both the National and County Government to intervene and help the over 100 traders who were affected so that they can restore their businesses.
“I think we need a long term solution, like construction of a dam, to tame the floods. Also the government, through its relevant departments, should construct expansive drainages to ease the water flow,” said Ole Lengwes.
A resident, Lucy Wambui who operates a general shop in the trading center lamented that the water swept away all her stock leaving her to begin afresh.
“I heard people screaming at night only to be shocked to find that my timber shop had been smashed by the raging floods. My worth almost Sh.100,000 was completely destroyed,” lamented Wambui.
This comes barely four days after tens of families were rendered homeless after flash floods swept through their homesteads in Kikuyian area few kilometres from Suswa town.
The incident prompted Governor Samuel Tunai to donate food stuffs, beddings and sanitary materials to the affected families, while urging them to move to upper grounds to avoid such occurrences in future.
“Those living in risky areas should start moving to upper grounds to avoid being swept by the floods. It is better to sacrifice for a few days instead of risking your life and property,” advised the governor.
By Ann Salaton
