How drainage built to divert water from Dundori road is flooding homes

When the Oljo-orok- Dundori (C83) road was being constructed, residents along the route marveled at the better connectivity they were about to enjoy.

For many in Lanet and the nearby Nyonjoro Estate, the road symbolized progress, easier transport, faster access to town, and new business opportunities.

 But as time went by, the same road that promised growth began to bring a different story, one of floods, loss, and frustration.

Over a decade now, homes in Nyonjoro have been flooding occasionally, but residents say the situation turned dire in 2021. All this because of a drainage that KeNHA diverted from the highway into their farms and compounds.

 Peter Kiragu, a resident in Nyonjoro estate, notes that the floods have since become an annual nightmare, sometimes occurring up to five times in a single year.

“This area has suffered because of poor drainage planning when the Lanet–Dundori–Olkalao road was built. The water that used to flow downhill is now directed into our residential areas. People have lost homes, property, and peace of mind,” Kiragu laments.

 The problem, he explains, stems from a culvert installed along the road that redirects storm water straight into their settlement instead of safely channeling it away. He mentions, when it rains uphill, the water rushes down through the culvert and floods the estate.

 “It doesn’t even have to rain here. Once it rains up there, we know water is coming ,” Kiragu adds.

At her home , Nancy Wanja is busy transferring her chicken to safer grounds after her compound was fully covered by flood water.

She expresses her fear of disease spreading both to her poultry and her because the flood water has mixed with waste water from her compound.

"I live in Nairobi but rushed to my Nakuru home when I was called by a friend over the flooding that happened. When I arrived I found my compound covered in flood water as well as my house. I managed to salvage a few electronics and moved my chicken that were still alive. The rest of my things are totally damaged," she says, noting she bought this house as her retirement home but can only regret her investment there.

 Salim Kamau, a retired teacher, says he invested nearly five million shillings from his pension to build rental houses in Nyonjoro.

 “For me, the floods have turned my dreams into losses. Since 2021, I have faced so many problems. Tenants come then they leave. They are told not to rent my units because of the flooding issue,” he says, staring at the rental units.

 Kamau says his income has dropped from six thousand per house to just three thousand and sometimes all the houses are empty.

He notes this was supposed to be my retirement plan, but now feels like a burden and a heart ache.

For Wairimu King’ori, a resident here and a farmer, the floods have wiped out months of hard work. She says her family has lost hundreds of thousands of shillings after drainage water destroyed their two-acre banana plantation and goat feed.

  “Our fruits were ready for harvest, but the banana plants are falling and the water has made it impossible to access the farm. Also, we will now be forced to buy commercial feeds for our goats, yet we had planted enough for the season. All of it has gone to waste. We need action from the authorities, this is not fair,” she laments.

Through the community Chairman Kiragu, he notes they have reached out to KeNHA, the county government, and local leaders, but no permanent solution has been offered.

When reached for comment, KeNHA Senior Corporate Communication Officer, Kariuki Thuku says the authority is currently visiting the affected area and will be giving a way forward.

 “We are visiting the area for a meeting with locals. We will give a way forward after our meeting with the residents,” he says.