What was meant to be a peaceful Good Friday holiday turned into a nightmare for residents and traders in Soko Mjinga, Isiolo County, after a heavy downpour unleashed devastating flash floods that ravaged homes and businesses.
The unexpected rains struck on Friday night, causing widespread destruction in the informal trading hub. Stock worth millions of shillings was destroyed, while hundreds of residents were displaced from their homes. Dozens of families were forced to spend the night in the cold as floodwaters swept through the area.
Lucia Manyara, an elderly resident who has lived in Soko Mjinga for over 40 years, described the night as one of the most terrifying experiences in her life. “We heard the water rushing in, and before we could react, everything was submerged,” she said.
According to local officials, at least 200 households were directly affected by the flooding, which has reignited concerns over recurring disasters and inadequate infrastructure to mitigate such risks.
Area manager Stephen Mwiti confirmed the scale of the destruction and emphasized the need for urgent government intervention. Residents are now calling for an upgrade of the Soko Mjinga bridge to a box culvert structure, which they believe would allow better drainage and prevent future calamities.
Critics have pointed fingers at both the County and National Governments for failing to implement long-term solutions to safeguard vulnerable communities from predictable seasonal floods.
As cleanup efforts continue, affected families are appealing for humanitarian support, while others are demanding accountability and action to ensure such tragedies do not become a recurring nightmare.
