Trans Nzoia Governor Helps Flood Victims Return Home After Heavy Rains

 

More than 200 families in Mubere and Budalang’i areas of Endebess Sub-County have started returning to their homes after two weeks of displacement caused by heavy rains and flooding from River Sabwani.

The floods, which swept through the villages last week, left hundreds homeless, destroyed crops, and damaged infrastructure. The victims were temporarily accommodated in makeshift shelters before the county government, through its disaster response unit, stepped in with relief assistance.

On Wednesday, the affected families received food rations and other essential supplies from a team led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, Pius Gumo. The exercise was part of the county’s ongoing humanitarian support directed by Governor Dr. George Natembeya to alleviate the suffering of those affected.

Gumo said the county government remains committed to ensuring that displaced families return to their normal lives safely and with dignity.

“Our Governor has instructed all departments to coordinate efforts to support the affected households and to ensure that no family is left behind,” said Gumo. “We are also assessing the damage to determine long-term measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Residents expressed deep appreciation to Governor Natembeya and his administration for the swift response, noting that the food and basic supplies came at a critical time when many had lost everything to the floods.

“We are grateful to His Excellency Governor Natembeya for standing with us in our time of need,” said one elderly woman from Budalang’i. “However, we appeal for a more permanent solution because these floods happen every year. We live in fear whenever it starts raining.”

Calls for Permanent Solution

The residents said the flooding of River Sabwani has become an annual tragedy, as the river frequently bursts its banks, submerging homes and farmlands. They appealed to both the county and national governments to work together to provide lasting solutions, including the possible relocation of vulnerable families to higher grounds.

Moses Wekesa, one of the residents, questioned why long-term flood control projects had stalled despite several government promises.

“Why should there be a riverbank failure every year only for the government to rush here with relief food?” asked Wekesa. “The national government keeps promising to desilt the dams, but nothing has been done. A tender was awarded, and money was paid out, but the work remains incomplete.”

Wekesa called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the alleged misuse of funds meant for desilting the dams and rivers, saying corruption was undermining the fight against recurring floods.

“We want EACC to move in, investigate the rogue contractor, and recover public money that was paid out for work never done,” he said, accusing the contractor of enjoying protection from influential figures within the national government.

Residents Decry Political Opportunism

The residents also expressed frustration over what they described as political showmanship by some national leaders who visit affected areas only to issue token aid and make political statements.

“It is shameful for leaders to fly over Namanjalala in helicopters using taxpayers’ money, only to hand out two kilograms of beans,” said Wekesa. “We have seen them give 50 kilograms of rice in Elgeyo Marakwet, yet here they bring just a few food parcels and leave. They should stop using our suffering to score political points.”

He urged such leaders to support Governor Natembeya’s administration instead of blaming it for challenges that require national-level intervention.

County’s Commitment to Long-Term Interventions

Governor Natembeya has repeatedly emphasized his government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of perennial flooding in Trans Nzoia County. His administration has been working with relevant departments to implement drainage and river management projects aimed at controlling overflow from rivers such as Sabwani.

Officials from the county disaster management team confirmed that technical officers are already mapping out high-risk zones and assessing possible relocation sites for families living along the floodplain.

“Our goal is not only to provide emergency aid but to ensure these families have a safe and sustainable future,” said a county disaster officer. “We will continue engaging with the national government and development partners to fund long-term flood control measures.”

For the families of Mubere and Budalang’i, the county’s response has offered much-needed relief, but their plea for permanent resettlement and river rehabilitation remains urgent. As the rains subside and residents return to rebuild their lives, the hope is that this year’s disaster will mark the beginning of lasting change in flood management across Endebess Sub-County.