Residents of Salgaa Trading Centre are counting heavy losses following persistent rains that have flooded homes and businesses, raising fears of a possible cholera outbreak in the area.

The heavy overnight rains left several shops submerged, destroying goods and disrupting normal operations. More alarming, however, is the growing public health risk after floodwaters filled pit latrines, increasing the likelihood of waterborne diseases.

Floodwaters engulf homes and shops in Salga, leaving residents counting heavy losses and fearing a cholera outbreak.Photo Purity Kinuthia.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Speaking in an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Kevin Wachira, a shop owner in Salgaa, narrated the devastation he encountered upon opening his business to find his goods soaked in flood waters.

“I woke up to find my shop flooded. All the flour I had stocked was soaked, and most of my items were badly damaged,” he says.

Wachira notes that the situation has been recurring, blaming poor drainage for the persistent flooding.

“We are faulting the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for failing to unblock drainage systems. For nearly a week now, this has been our daily experience whenever it rains,” he adds.

enants remove flood water from their home after they were caught unaware at night. They now fear a cholera outbreak as the flood water is mixed with waste from pit latrines in the area.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Jackson Ng’eno, another resident, explains that the flooding is worsened by water flowing from upstream areas, which is then trapped by blocked drainage systems before spilling into homes and businesses.

“The floodwater comes from upstream, and due to blocked drainage, it finds its way into people’s homes and businesses,” he says.

Ng’eno warns that the situation could escalate further if urgent action is not taken.

“The next thing, this water will contaminate fuel at a nearby filling station, which will make the situation worse, especially now that we are experiencing fuel rationing. We want the relevant authorities to come to our rescue, KeNHA should take charge of the drainage, while the county government should support families that have been heavily affected,” he notes.

A flooded section at Salga trading center following heavy rains and blocked drainages that led to the area flooding:

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

For Jeniffer Onyango, the situation is even more worrying, especially for children who continue to play in the flooded water contaminated with sewage and latrine waste.

“I am now worried about our children contracting cholera. The water has even entered our house, and they are helping us scoop it out because every effort counts,” she lamentes.

A child navigates through flooded water in their residence after flooding in Salga trade center.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

She urged the county government to act with urgency, warning that the situation could quickly escalate into a serious public health crisis if ignored.

“We want to see the county’s disaster management team handle this matter with the priority it deserves. We should not have to wait until it becomes a full-blown public health emergency for action to be taken,” she says.

In response, a senior official from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the flooding largely to poor waste disposal practices.

A resident moves with her mattress through their flooded compound as she seeks to relocate to higher grounds since the constant flooding after rain have been overwhelming for her

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“Most of these drainage systems are designed to effectively channel water away. However, what we are seeing is a buildup of waste materials, plastics and other debris that accumulate and block the culverts,” the officer explains.

As the rains continue, the situation remains dire, with affected families hoping for swift action to prevent further losses and avert a looming health crisis.

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Salgaa floods leave residents counting losses amid fears of waterborne diseases

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Purity Kinuthia