Spring in Bavaria

Two die as rains cause havoc in towns

Published on March 22, 2008, 12:00 am

By Saturday Standard Team

Two people died and more than 2,000 others were displaced after an overnight downpour in Marsabit District.

The District Commissioner Mr Njenga Miiri confirmed the deaths. The two were buried alive when a building collapsed.

Two other people were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

Mirii said the torrential rains destroyed several manyattas, permanent buildings — schools and health centres.

"The rains accompanied by strong winds took many by surprise on Thursday evening. We have sent rescue teams to the affected Mubisa area in North Horr constituency," said the DC.

Speaking on telephone on Friday, the DC said police and a team from the Red Cross had moved children and the elderly to safer grounds.

Isacko Galgalo, the district ODM-Kenya chairman, expressed fears of a disease outbreak.

Galgalo said NGOs and the Government should assist the displaced to rebuild their houses and business premises.

In Meru Central District, a storm destroyed property worth about Sh1 million.

More than 50 houses were flattened. A church under construction had a section of its roof blown off during the Thursday evening incident.

Several trees were uprooted and hundreds of acres under food crops destroyed.

The storm swept through Kimbo location in Abothuguchi West division and caused havoc for about three hours.

Mr Daniel Maingi said he lost a jacket containing Sh47,000 he had withdrawn from a bank in Meru town.

In Naivasha, property was destroyed after heavy rains pounded the town.

Transport came to a standstill as the raging waters flooded roads.

During the late afternoon downpour, several shops and hotels had their property washed away as customers fled.

The proprietor of one of the hotels, Mr George Ng’ang’a, was in shock as he watched his life savings washed down the drainage.

"I will sue the council and the construction company re-carpeting the Mai Mahiu-Naivasha road. They have not put up a proper drainage," he said.

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