As many parts of the country continue experiencing heavy rainfall, the County Government of Uasin Gishu has urged those living next to rivers and lowlands to voluntarily relocate to safer places that are not prone to flooding and landslides, as a safety measure.
Speaking during a project planning meeting with Roads, Transport and Public Works Engineers, Inspectors and Surveyors, County Executive Committee Member for the Department, Abraham Serem, stated the need for the team, alongside officers from the Department of Lands, to do correct demarcation and get people out of the riparian lands.
He cited the recent case of flooding in some areas of Elgon View Estate, where the County hard to act swiftly on Monday, March 23, 2026, to address the emergency that left over thirty homes marooned by flood water.
“Let us tell our people the truth when they are buying land and ensure not one constructs houses on riparian land,” the CECM said.
Serem expressed the importance of having correct information about riparian land and creating awareness of the law requiring at least 30 metres off the river.
“As we move around the county, please ensure we tell our people to take precautions. We have hard issues with the increased rainfall; the ground can’t absorb all the water at the same time,” he explained.
Which Uasin Gishu areas were affected by floods?
The county executive added that other places that were affected by floods included Ngeria, Megun and parts of Racecourse, saying the devolved unit had already started creating awareness about other challenges that come with flooding, such as Malaria and diarrhoea.
He reiterated the urgent need for correct statistics of areas that people should be moved from and awareness programs through public engagements at a time when the team is also mapping damaged road infrastructure for maintenance through different initiatives that are being spearheaded by Governor Dr Jonathan Bii.
Chief Officer Geoffrey Tanui and the Director Eng Julius Ronoh asked the team to ensure close supervision and weekly reports on all ongoing projects. Also present were Deputy Director Engineer Linus Yego, among others.
