More than 3,000 families in Kapomboi Ward, Kwanza Constituency, have been displaced after River Sabwani burst its banks following days of heavy rainfall across Trans Nzoia County.
The flooding has submerged homes, farmlands, and roads, leaving residents stranded and in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical assistance. What was once farmland now looks like a vast lake — a stark reminder of the devastating impact of Kenya’s ongoing heavy rains.
In Namanjalala area, desperate residents are counting their losses after floodwaters swept through their farms, washing away maize and beans — the main source of livelihood for many families.
“We have lost everything. Our crops are gone, our homes destroyed,” said Clare Mwenje, one of the affected residents.
Another resident, Susan Nanjala, described the terrifying moment the floods struck: “The river flooded so fast, we barely escaped with our children.”
The flooding began when the swollen River Sabwani overflowed, spilling into nearby villages and farmlands. Many residents had no time to salvage their belongings.
Locals have blamed the county government for failing to complete the construction of protective dykes — barriers meant to prevent the river from overflowing.
“Had the dykes been finished, this wouldn’t have happened,” lamented Dawson Mudenyo, a resident of Namanjalala.
Responding to the concerns, Charles Yabuna, the Sub-County Administrator, said the county and national governments are working together to assist the affected families and to assess the full extent of the damage.
A multi-agency response team, including officers from the National Government Administration, National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross, and Disaster Management units, has been deployed to coordinate rescue, evacuation, and relief efforts.
The team is distributing food, water, and other supplies to displaced residents currently sheltered in schools and churches.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days, with isolated storms likely in parts of Western and Rift Valley regions.
Authorities have urged residents living near rivers, flood plains, and landslide-prone slopes to move to higher ground as a safety precaution.
Environmental experts have linked the flooding to deforestation and poor drainage systems in the region, saying that long-term measures — such as improved land management, reforestation, and completion of flood control projects — are needed to prevent similar disasters in the future.
For now, displaced families are appealing for continued government and humanitarian support as they begin to rebuild their lives from the ruins.
