The government has committed to fully supporting families displaced by landslides in the Mathioya constituency of Murang’a County as heavy rains continue to affect the region.
Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo announced that the government will rebuild homes and replace livestock for families impacted by the recent landslides, which left numerous individuals homeless and resulted in one fatality in Ngutu village last Thursday.
During a bursary disbursement event at Gitugi grounds on Saturday, Mugo shared that residents living in hazardous areas have already been relocated to safer locations as the government escalates its emergency response efforts.
The MP is actively collaborating with relevant state agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, to ensure that victims receive immediate assistance, noting that President William Ruto has been informed of the situation.
Mugo reported, “We have lost nearly 15 houses, and livestock have been destroyed. Tragically, we have also lost one life.”
He reassured the people of Mathioya affected by the landslides, stating, “We will rebuild their homes and replace their lost livestock. For now, please stay away from dangerous areas and move to higher ground.”
The latest disaster struck Ngutu village on Thursday night after hours of heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that split a house in two, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Godfrey Gichuki.
In the aftermath, several families have been displaced due to significant cracks forming across farms and homesteads, raising concerns about further earth movement in the area.
Mugo indicated that camps have been established to shelter displaced residents as authorities continue to monitor the persistent rains that have caused extensive damage throughout the county.
Murang’a County Commissioner Hassan Bule, who previously led a team of officials to the landslide site, cautioned that approximately 100 households remain at risk due to the emergence of large cracks in several villages.
He highlighted that Murang’a has recently faced multiple disasters in Kandara, Kangema, and Kahuro sub-counties, displacing numerous families and exposing residents to ongoing danger as the rains continue.
Bule recalled a tragic incident in neighboring Kiganjo village in 2024, where six family members perished when their home was swept away at night.
These developments coincide with a warning from the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) that the country may face additional disasters linked to heavy rainfall in the coming weeks.
NDOC Director David Samoei, who visited Ngutu village to assess the landslide damage, reported that at least 140 people have died nationwide since the onset of the long rains in March due to floods, landslides, and other rain-related calamities.
Samoei emphasized that the government remains on high alert as more rains are anticipated beyond the normal season, urging Kenyans residing in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.
At the same event, MP Mugo announced the disbursement of Sh70 million in bursaries to support approximately 10,000 learners across Mathioya.
Day secondary school students will receive Sh6,000 each, while boarding school students, university attendees, those in tertiary institutions, KMTC, and teachers’ colleges will each receive Sh9,000. Learners with special needs will benefit from Sh10,000 each.
Mugo explained that the bursary program aims to ensure that no child drops out of school due to financial constraints, especially during these challenging economic times.
Gitugi Girls Secondary School Principal Eunice Wamaru noted that the bursaries have significantly contributed to retaining students and enhancing learning conditions.
She stated, “Timely financial support has allowed us to keep students in class, improve infrastructure, and provide meals.”
Gitugi Mixed Secondary School Principal Joseph Maina remarked that the program has made education more affordable for many families in Mathioya, particularly in day schools, where retention rates have improved markedly.
He highlighted that the bursaries have also helped reduce instances of early marriages and teenage pregnancies by ensuring that vulnerable learners remain in school.
