ELDORET, Kenya — Several families in Elgon View estate in Eldoret were forced to flee their homes early Monday after the Sosiani River burst its banks, sending floodwaters into residential houses following three days of heavy rainfall.
Residents said the water surged into their homes at around 5 a.m., catching many off guard and destroying household property.
Some families scrambled to salvage belongings as the fast-rising water inundated living rooms, bedrooms, and compounds.
Haron Ngagaka, one of the affected residents, said families lost property worth millions of shillings and called on government agencies to intervene with emergency assistance.
“We have lost property worth millions. The water came in very early in the morning after days of heavy rains. We are appealing to the government to help affected families,” he said.
Residents blamed the flooding on poor drainage and rising water levels in the Sosiani River, which they said frequently overflows during heavy rains. They added that stormwater from surrounding areas flowed toward the estate, worsening the situation.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea acknowledged the flooding and attributed the incident to inadequate drainage infrastructure and runoff from surrounding rural areas converging into the river.
“We have a very big challenge with drainage, especially with flood waters from rural areas flowing into Sosiani,” Kapkea said.
He urged residents living in flood-prone zones to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures as rains continue across parts of the North Rift region.
The flooding comes amid ongoing heavy rains reported in several parts of the country, raising concerns over disaster preparedness in urban settlements located near rivers and seasonal waterways.
Authorities urged residents to avoid crossing swollen rivers and to relocate from low-lying areas whenever water levels begin to rise, warning that continued rainfall could worsen the situation.
