Kangema, Murang’a County| Torrential rains pounding parts of Murang’a County have unleashed destruction and despair, with Kangema Constituency emerging as one of the hardest-hit areas.
As unrelenting rainfall continues to saturate the region, multiple families have been displaced, property worth millions of shillings lost, and critical infrastructure severely compromised — triggering urgent appeals for support, precautionary measures, and swift intervention.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued persistent warnings of potential flooding and landslides across the Central Highlands, citing heightened rainfall intensity.
In Kangema, the unfolding crisis is already evident on the ground, where a series of landslides and floods have left scores of residents vulnerable and anxious.
One family in the constituency is still reeling from a catastrophic landslide that demolished their home early Saturday morning.
The incident, which occurred amid heavy downpours, completely buried their newly built house and destroyed all belongings.
Miraculously, no lives were lost — but the psychological toll and material loss have left the family in despair.
Brian Chege, one of the affected family members, described how the disaster struck without warning. He explained that on Monday evening, the earth gave way, destroying one side of their house.
Fearing for their safety, the family moved to his mother’s house, which unfortunately is also dangerously close to the landslide site.
On Saturday at around 5 a.m., as heavy rains continued, they heard loud tremors, and moments later, the remaining part of the house was engulfed by soil.
His mother, Joyce Wanjiku, expressed her devastation, saying she had watched her son struggle to build a life for his young family by doing menial jobs.
The house that was destroyed had only been completed three months earlier. She lamented that everything — from household goods to furniture and electronics — was lost.
Even her own house, she noted with concern, was at risk of sinking, with wide cracks already forming around it.
The family now finds themselves without shelter and in desperate need of assistance.
They have appealed to the government and well-wishers to support their relocation and help them rebuild their lives from scratch.
The consequences of the ongoing rains extend beyond individual homes. In Kigumo, a massive landslide has rendered the Kanyenyaini–Tuthu road completely impassable.
This key route, vital for local transport and agricultural trade — particularly in tea-producing zones — was destroyed early Saturday.
Residents awoke to find sections of the road swallowed by earth and debris, severing access and endangering travelers.
Local resident John Mwangi said that the community was jolted from sleep by loud tremors in the early hours of the morning.
When they ventured outside, they discovered that the road had been cut off, with trees and vegetation thrown across the area.
He noted that they had never seen such destruction before. As a result, residents are now forced to take lengthy detours, making transportation difficult.
For tea farmers, delivering produce to collection centers has become a daunting challenge, adding to the strain of their daily lives.
Authorities have moved swiftly to caution residents in high-risk areas. Naomi Wambui, the Assistant Chief of Kibutha Sub-location, urged those living in landslide- or flood-prone zones to relocate to safer ground as a precaution.
She emphasized the importance of reporting any unusual signs such as cracks, tremors, or soil movement, noting that early warnings could help save lives and minimize damage.
In the wake of the disaster, emergency relief efforts are underway. Affected families have begun receiving food and essential supplies, thanks to coordinated efforts between local government offices and community volunteers.
Wallace Waiguru, from the office of the Member of Parliament for Kanyenyaini, stated that the relief items being distributed were an emergency response to help families meet their immediate needs.
He emphasized that the government was committed to supporting the affected households in the longer term by helping them relocate and rebuild.
He also commended members of the community who had opened their homes and provided shelter to those displaced, describing such solidarity as essential in helping families begin the long and difficult journey toward recovery.
As the rains continue with no sign of abating, Murang’a County remains on high alert.
The mounting toll of destruction underscores the urgent need for disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, and coordinated emergency response systems.
For the people of Kangema, the hope now lies in swift recovery, sustained support, and a return to safety after nature’s unforgiving blow.
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