Kaptembwa battles new sinkholes as land restoration efforts continue
A tipper lorry fills in a fissure with soil obtained from a construction site, to stabalize the land that was once swept with flash floods causing fissures and sinkholes.
"When dark clouds gather, we fear for our lives. The near-death experiences have scarred many families here."
These were the words of a resident of Kaptembwa in Nakuru West Sub-county in July 2024, during a visit by Mtaa Wangu to assess how the community had adapted to the aftermath of severe flooding - and promised government assistance.
An abandsoned house that was affected by the fissures in Kaptembwa.
On May 10, 2024, the area was hit by catastrophic flash floods that triggered a massive landslide, creating gaping fissures and sinkholes.
These sudden ground collapse caused extensive property damage, and while many residents were thankful to have survived, the emotional and financial toll was profound.
Today, we return to find signs of recovery. Efforts to fill the sinkholes with sand and stabilize the land have begun to bring some relief.
A house in Kaptembwa.
Lush green vegetation has sprouted in parts of the affected area, though tall grass and weeds show signs of desiccation under the relentless sun. Despite these efforts, a spot check reveals new sinkholes forming, likely due to a fault line created by the original fissures.
The project manager overseeing the land stabilization says work began in November 2024 and continued steadily for two months.
On average, a truck makes 12 trips a day to haul soil from a nearby construction site. This equates to approximately 80 to 100 truckloads of soil per day.
Land that has already been filled with soil after being affected by fissures in Kaptembwa.
"To ensure stability, we are adding additional soil to create a hillier terrain," explained the foreman. "The goal is to restore the land to its original condition, making it suitable for agricultural use should the landowners decide to resume farming."
One previously condemned home, marked with an "X" after its washrooms sank, has seen remarkable improvements. With the washrooms rebuilt, the house is now occupied.
Fissure.in Kaptembwa that is waiting to be filled.
Jane Wanja, a tenant in the house, admitted that while she was aware of the area's troubled history, the repairs and the affordability of the rent outweighed her concerns.
"I heard about what happened, but now that the repairs are done, I'm not worried. Besides, the rent here is more affordable compared to other places," she says.
Another resident, Stephen Mbugua, who witnessed the events, believes the efforts to fill the cracks and sinkholes are necessary.
"The deep holes were dangerous, especially for children who often wander around after school and during holidays. Filling them has prevented accidents and improved the appearance of the area," Mbugua says.
When asked if he thought the former landowners should rebuild on the land, Mbugua expressed cautious optimism.
"If the land is stable enough, they should consider coming back and rebuilding. We hope that what happened last year won't happen again. But even with the measures we have taken, we remain vigilant."