Residents of Kathese village in Mumbuni, Machakos County are living in fear due to recurring landslides in the area. They have called on the government and relevant authorities to address the issue and find a long-term solution to a problem that has plagued them for over two decades.
Over the years, landslides have resulted in the loss of lives and property. Daniel Kithome, a local resident, highlighted the ongoing threat: “We have experienced many deaths from landslides over the past 30 years.” Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kithome shared that landslides have not only caused fatalities but have also led to injuries and extensive damage to property, including crops, farms, livestock, and churches.
“The ABC Kathese church is nearly destroyed; what began as a trench four years ago has turned into a valley. When I was a child, a road passed through that valley, but it collapsed 20 years ago due to landslides,” Kithome explained.
Residents recall that 1998 was particularly devastating due to the El Niño rains, and the situation worsened during droughts as well. Esther Mutunga noted that the landslides have severely impacted their livelihoods, with many houses developing cracks, leading to constant fear and sleepless nights.
Village elder Ruth Mweu described how the situation has deteriorated since she first moved to the village 40 years ago. She mentioned that landslides, exacerbated by El Niño rains, now pose a significant risk, particularly to children who travel to and from school at risky hours.
Assistant Chief Jackline Syokau stated that the situation has been reported to the relevant authorities multiple times, and the community is awaiting necessary intervention.
