Seven people who had been marooned by flooding waters in Kikuuni village in Kabaa,Mwala sub county after River Athi burst its banks have been rescued.
The seven, six men and a pregnant woman were evacuated to safety on Friday afternoon by a private chopper chartered by the Machakos County Government.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and her Deputy Francis Mwangangi coordinated the rescue efforts after the seven got stuck on Wednesday evening when flooding waters surrounded their homes.
According to Mwala Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Dennis Muthomi earlier attempts to rescue the stranded residents were not successful due to the raging waters.
“We have been trying since Wednesday to rescue the residents to no avail and we thank the county government and the national government for the collaboration,” said Muthomi.
The ACC said the rescued residents are currently undergoing treatment at Kabaa Health Centre.
“The victims are currently being treated here at Kabaa.They will also undergo counseling for the ordeal they went through,” he said.
The administrator called on residents living in flood prone areas to heed to the government’s directive to relocate to safer grounds.
“Those residents whose houses are at the risk of mudslides or living near rivers and other dangerous water bodies should move for their own good,” added Muthomi.
Governor Wavinya said the county government will facilitate alternative accommodation for the affected residents until the water subsides.
“We will offer accommodation and support to the victims until it is safe for them to go back home,” said Wavinya.
She appealed to residents of Kyeleni,Vulya and Matungulu to evacuate immediately to avoid floods following heavy rains that are expected in the area.
“The meteorological department has issued a warning of heavy rains starting Friday evening and we are asking residents living in those areas to move to avoid casualties,” added the governor.
Mary Mutheu,one the victims expressed her relief after the chopper evacuated them to safety.
Mutheu said the flooding waters washed away crops and livestock following heavy rains.
“We watched helplessly as the water levels kept on rising. We however decided to assemble in one place and keep each other company as we waited to be rescued,” she said.
Paul Mulatya, described the three-day ordeal as scary and a brush with death.
“We even ran out of food and were surviving on bananas and fish,” said Mulatya.
Close to 20 people have lost their lives while 4,000 households have been displaced in the county by floods.
By Roselyne Kavoo
