Floods and landslide victims in Murang’a have a reason to smile after the County Government announced that it has released KSh23 million to cater for the households which have been affected by heavy rains.

According to a report by the county’s disaster management committee, 334 households have been effected by landslides or floods within Ithanga, Kandara, Kiharu, Kangema and Mathioya being most affected.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata said each of the affected families will get KSh50,000 which will be disbursed in phases.

Speaking at Ihura Stadium when he donated food stuffs to the affected families, Kang’ata said overall the county will require approximately KSh162 million to cater for the families affected by the rains and repair the damages caused.

He added that the assessment of the damage is still underway and is carried out by Kenya Red Cross and disaster management team.

He noted some families have their houses destroyed, tea farms swept away and livestock killed and their livelihoods have been affected.

In addition, the governor said KSh70 million will be required for infrastructural repairs adding that each ward will be allocated KSh2 million each.

Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro gave an additional KSh500,000 to be distributed to the victims adding that some have lost their entire livelihoods to the destructive rains.

Murang’a County Assembly Majority Leaders Kube wa Sally said the assembly will consider adding emergency funds in the coming budget.

Killer floods/landslides

A sombre mood engulfed the burial ceremony of six victims of landslide in Kiganjo, Mathioya Constituency, on Friday, May 10.

The six died on Sunday, April 28 night after their homes were swept away by a landslide following heavy rains in the area.

The incident saw three houses swept away with heavy rains hampering rescue mission.

Leaders present led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro appealed to local leaders and Murang’a County Government to reach out to and help as many victims of floods and landslides as possible.