Nandi County Officials Urge Residents to Relocate from Landslide-Prone Areas

NANDI, KENYA — In light of ongoing heavy rainfall and heightened landslide risks, Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili has called on residents of Tinderet Sub-County to move to safer areas. This directive comes as the region braces for more inclement weather, with the meteorological department forecasting continued heavy rains.

According to Kenya News Agency, the urgency of relocation is critical to avoid potential disasters. She made this announcement while speaking at a public participation event for the affordable housing draft at Kapsabet High School, emphasizing the government’s directive for residents in vulnerable areas to adhere to the warnings issued by local authorities. Nzwili also highlighted the role of chiefs and their assistants in ensuring that residents in landslide-prone zones are moved to safety.

Furthering the county’s disaster preparedness efforts, Commissioner Nzwili noted that with schools opening soon, special attention is being given to the safety of children, particularly those who traverse makeshift bridges to get to school. She detailed that the County Government’s disaster preparedness team, along with National Government Administrative Officers, are diligently monitoring areas prone to landslides, flash floods, and other hazardous conditions exacerbated by the rainfall.

At another event in Aldai, Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang addressed additional measures to assist residents relocating from the hazardous hills of Tinderet Sub-County. He announced that those affected would be provided with avocado and coffee seedlings to encourage agricultural productivity in safer areas, thus maintaining economic stability while mitigating residential risks in landslide-prone zones.

Both local leaders reiterated their plea for public caution, pointing out that although the county has so far avoided major rain-related damages seen in other parts of the country, the risk remains high. Alongside disaster management, Commissioner Nzwili encouraged participation in the affordable housing initiative, noting its benefits including local employment opportunities through the Emgwen Constituency housing project, which is expected to complete 220 housing units by September.

Officials from Nairobi’s affordable housing program also met with county housing stakeholders, including chiefs, church representatives, civil society groups, and marginalized communities at Kapsabet Boys School hall to discuss and gather feedback on the proposed affordable housing draft.