Kiambu: Locals of flooded Karia-ini village in Lari refuse to be evacuated

Residents of Karia-ini village in Lari Subcounty have refused to move out of their flooded homes despite calls by the government to do so.

The residents claim that the rain water that are flooded their village was flowing slowly.

Simon Mwangi, a resident, said they hope that the water will completely flow away.

Mwangi said their biggest worry was that toilets were filled with water,  hence might lead to an outbreak of diseases.

“All our out latrines are full of water. When one visits them, the waste floats. It mixes with water that is flowing,” Mwangi revealed.

This has forced officials from Kiambu county government and a multi agency rescue team to visit them.

The team was led by Water and Environment executive David Kuria and Lari Kirenga MCA Josphat Kinyanjui.

Kuria advised them to move to safer grounds so as to avoid contracting water borne diseases.

However, the residents ignored their call and decided to stay put.

Mwangi said this was not the first time the area which hosts over 50 families was getting flooded, and toilets filled with water.

Previosly, the village has faced similar situaton but the residents  have always refused to move out.

The team had a tractor which they used to clear the drainage, allowing the flooded water to start flowing

Kinyanjui urged the residents to remain vigilant and ensure all the drainage was clear and water was flowing.

The MCA said the county government will monitoring the situation every day for any further action should the need arise.

He urged those affected by the floods to register themselves with the county government, his office or area assistant chief’s offices for assistance.

The MCA revealed that Governor Kimani Wamatangi was distributing items such as beddings and food stuffs to the families affected by the floods.

“We thank our government since it has laid down strategies to advise our people, clear drainage, offer safe grounds as well as support affected families with food” he said.

Speaking at his office, Wamatangi said his government aims to ensure all residents are safe from impact of floods.

“We do not want anybody to suffer, we want to know all the challenges facing our people caused by the floods” he said.

He said the multi agency teams from all Subcounties are working day and night to assist people.

He said so far, several families have been evacuated from their flooded homes and villages and were being hosted in social halls, churches and some classrooms in some schools.