Maai Mahiu Flood Victims Resettled As County Pledges Infrastructure, Agriculture Support

By Suleiman Mbatiah

The County Government of Nakuru will invest in infrastructure, agriculture and trade to support a new settlement for families displaced by the 2024 Maai Mahiu floods, Governor Susan Kihika has said.

Speaking during the resettlement exercise presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Kihika said the county would complement national government efforts to ensure the community becomes economically stable.

A total of 161 families whose homes were swept away by flash floods in 2024 have each been allocated 1.5 acres from a 200-acre parcel acquired through the national government’s Settlement Fund.

The government has resettled 105 families whose homes were swept away and 56 who lost rented houses, allocating each family land outside the flood zone and cash support for construction materials.

The governor said the new settlement includes schools, health centres, market spaces and access roads, designed to support long-term growth, improve service delivery and create economic opportunities for resettled families.

“We are not just resettling people; we are building a thriving, dignified community,” she said, adding that the project is designed to restore stability, rebuild livelihoods for long-term growth.

The Maai Mahiu disaster in 2024 left dozens dead and displaced families after heavy rains triggered flash floods that destroyed homes and infrastructure. County and national agencies mounted search and rescue operations and set up temporary shelters.

Kihika said the county government activated emergency response teams, coordinated search and rescue operations, provided food, clean water and medical care, and offered trauma counselling and temporary shelter to affected families.

“Our health teams worked to prevent disease outbreaks, while social protection officers supported vulnerable families,” she said, noting that special attention was given to children, the elderly and persons with disabilities during the recovery period.

In addition to land allocation, 50 groups will receive empowerment packages from the national government to help restore livelihoods, support small businesses, expand farming activities and create sustainable sources of income for affected families.

Deputy President Kindiki said the resettlement marks a shift from emergency relief to permanent restoration, adding that land ownership would give families security and opportunity.

“All families in each group supported with cash token for basic construction materials to hasten resettlement. The new settlement has land set aside for a school, a health centre and other amenities,” he stated.

The governor said the county is finalising issuance of title deeds to plot owners in Maai Mahiu town, following completion of survey work, with documentation and verification processes now nearing conclusion.

In Naivasha Municipality, preparation of titles is ongoing in Lakeview, Viwandani, Kabati and North Karati Trading Centre. Processing of titles in Dundori and Bahati is also at an advanced stage.

The county recently resettled the 2007 internally displaced persons at Kisima Farm in Njoro sub-County after years of protracted court battles.

The Governor noted that collaboration between the national and county governments demonstrates how coordinated action can accelerate recovery and restore stability for affected families.