This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Marsabit Town Floods: Traders Count Losses ¶
November 1st, 2017
Heavy rains caused widespread flooding in Marsabit town on Thursday morning, leaving a trail of destruction and financial losses for local traders.
The flooding, which started in the early hours of Thursday, affected many businesses in the Marsabit central business district, causing significant damage and losses.
Some of the roads in the area were impassable, and hawkers, shopkeepers, and other traders reported losing stock and other goods worth unspecified amounts.
Mr. Kamau, a trader who runs a grocery outlet in the town, estimated that he lost at least Kshs 30,000 worth of goods in the flooding.
He recalled being awoken by the rains and finding water already in his house, with the neighbourhood also being flooded, carrying away his goods.
The residents are now calling on the County government to help address the flood menace by opening the draining trenches within the area to avoid further losses due to the rains.
The flooding in Marsabit is a reflection of the challenges faced by many other areas of the country that experience heavy rains without the necessary infrastructure to drain away rainwater.
