Residents of Kiamunyi area in Nakuru County are living in perpetual fear after huge cracks suddenly developed on their lands.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, April 30, the residents revealed that the cracks began appearing a fortnight ago and quickly escalated into dangerous pits.
They, as a result, begged the government to be proactive and swing into action since the pits had developed into hazardous holes.
“The cracks started as small fissures about two weeks ago and have been widening as heavy rains continue to pound the area,” one of the residents complained.
The widening pits act as water reservoirs and there is fear that this could cause a landslide leading to loss of lives and property.
While landslides have previously occurred in other areas of the country, that was the first time they were witnessed in the Kiamunyi area.
“We have never seen such phenomena in our lives, this is the first time we are witnessing our lands cracking up. We urge the government to help us before it is too late,” a resident pleaded with the national authority.
The cracks in Kiamunyi occurred at a time when the government temporarily closed Mai Mahiu – Narok Highway after similar cracks developed on the busy road.
“The cause of the crack has not been established, though preliminary reports attribute it to the ongoing rains,” a statement from Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) read in part.
Despite the warning, passengers traveling to Narok were forced to spend the night on the road on Sunday, April 30, as most of them were not aware of the alternative routes.
The alternative routes provided by KeNHA were Narok - Kisiriri - Mau Summit - Njoro turn off (B18) Road, to join Nakuru and other destinations.
Alternatively, motorists can use the Narok - Bomet - Kaplong (B6) Road and connect to Kaplong - Kericho (B7) Road.
