Rongai residents move to repair damaged road, in fear of further calamity
Mike Otieno constructs a gabion after water washed off a section of the road in Rongai on May 6, 2024.
Residents of Kabasis-Roret- in Mosop ward, Rongai sub-county have decided to take matters into their own hands to reduce the impact of the ravaging water caused by the heavy downpour.
This is after the runoff water caused by the rains swept away soil along the California access road connecting to the main Kabasis road, which connects Ngata to Njoro.
The water created deep gullies that are about one to four meters in depth, felled electricity transmission poles and cut off the main water pipeline.
An electricity pole falls over after heavy rains pounded parts of Rongai on May 6, 2024.
The residents have thus taken action by constructing gabions and placing rocks within the gullies to slow down the runoff.
A section of other neighbours have also decided to close off the road noting it as a danger to children and students accessing it.
Mike Otieno, a resident of Kabasis, together with his friends are concerned about the safety of other residents and the children in the area so they took action to mend gabions in the gullies.
Pedestrians walk along the gulley that formed in Rongai after heavy rains were experienced on May 6, 2024.
“As residents, we saw how the water had destroyed this access road and felt compelled to take action to salvage what remains of it. This road has been crucial for passers-by, deliveries, and students attending the ECDE and college. Our efforts are merely a temporary solution as we await government intervention to address the issue comprehensively,” he notes.
John Mukangai, who works at an ECDE school in the area laments how heavy currents cause panic as they do not know what to expect every morning.
John Mukangai fills the gully in Rongai with rocks to reduce the flow of water on May 6, 2024.
He notes how for the past three weeks they’ve been trying to fill the gulley with stones but this seems to do very little.
“The rains are causing havoc and if this continues, the water will sweep away the soil exposing the school latrine, which will not be good for us as residents. Schools will also be opened at any time and if conditions worsen students may be unable to resume. I call onto our MCA to come help us.”
For others like Celestino Otero, a college student residing in California estate, these rains have been abnormal to the extent he’s been forced to switch houses after a section of their residence was washed away by water, leaving the foundation of their perimeter wall exposed.
He notes his reluctance to move houses owing to the high cost of rent in the area and appeals to the county government to permanently block the road and deal with the issue as soon as possible.