Exactly one year ago, Mai Mahiu town in Nakuru County woke up to a nightmare that forever altered its history.
A water-filled gulley that was holding water from heavy rains collapsed in the middle of the night, catching locals in the escarpment town off guard.
The floodwaters tore through Kamuchiri, Jerusalem and Ruiru villages as people slept, sweeping away homes, farms and businesses. By the time the waters receded, Mai Mahiu had become a wasteland.
More than 60 lives were lost, properties of unknown value destroyed and those who survived were left with emotional and physical scars.
In the aftermath, Kenya Red Cross, the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and volunteers embarked on an extensive search and recovery operation, retrieving bodies buried in sludge and debris.
‘We have been forgotten’ Maai Mahiu floods tragedy victims tell of broken promises
Government officials, including President William Ruto and other leaders, visited the area and pledged swift action promising compensation, resettlement and infrastructure restoration.
On Tuesday, residents gathered in Mai Mahiu town centre for a sombre memorial service to honour the lives lost and reflect on a year marked by grief, anger and what they described as broken promises.
Organised by the Mai Mahiu Pastors Unity Fellowship, the service brought together survivors, bereaved families and community members still struggling to rebuild their lives.
Notably absent were key political leaders and government representatives despite the commitments they made in the tragedy’s aftermath.
The service began shortly after 11am as mourners sat in silence and pastors led prayers, and hymns as people kept streaming in before speeches began.
Maai Mahiu flood victims during a memorial service on April 29, 2025 at Maai Mahiu Township to mark one year of the tragedy that claimed more than 60 lives and washed away property.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Mai Mahiu Victims Chairperson Bernard Kamau who spoke on behalf of affected families said that despite media coverage and attention from both local and national leaders, the community remains abandoned.
He said pledges to pay rent and repair infrastructure have not been fulfilled. Meanwhile, survivors continue to live in fear, traumatised by the sound of rainfall.
According to them during his visit on April 30, 2024, President Ruto assured the victims that the government will secure land to resettle and compensate those who lost their homes and livelihoods, a promise that was reaffirmed on May 9 and reaffirmed during a memorial service.
“Were the President’s directives just empty words? Were the promises false? Are the deaths of our loved ones to remain as mere statistics in a quickly fading memory?” he asked. “We urge the President to live true to his words.”
Maai Mahiu flood victims during a memorial service on April 29, 2025 at Maai Mahiu Township to mark one year of the tragedy that claimed more than 60 lives and washed away property.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Mr Kamau criticised Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika saying she has not returned to Mai Mahiu since the memorial service last year despite promising to walk with bereaved families and help them rebuild.
Despite the president assuring the victims that the government will send experts to assess the flood pathways and determine whether people could settle in those areas again, they have not seen any tangible action a year on.
The clergy further claimed that the government has failed to honour the pledge of Sh 300 Million promised on May 9, 2024, through the Ministry of Housing for the building of new houses and also repairing the Mai Mahiu – Kijabe road which is so vital in connecting our people to Kijabe hospital.
They instead noted that the government shifted its focus and prioritised the repair of the railway infrastructure —restoring it as if nothing happened without addressing the urgent needs of the community leaving people suffering.
Among those still struggling is Ms Mary Muthoni Mwangi who lost eight family members in the floods. She could barely contain her tears as she addressed the gathering.
“I have cried every single day for the past year. My life ended the moment I lost my family. I was promised resettlement and compensation, but I still live in a rental house,” she said.
Maai Mahiu flood victims during a memorial service on April 29, 2025 at Maai Mahiu Township to mark one year of the tragedy that claimed more than 60 lives and washed away property.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Frida Karemi Munywa, a mother of four, said her 11-year-old son was left disabled by the disaster. He now uses crutches after suffering serious leg and arm injuries that have disrupted his education.
Her son, a Grade Six pupil, has not returned to school since the tragedy. She cannot afford transport and his condition makes walking impossible.
After the disaster, he was first treated at Okland Hospital in Mai Mahiu then transferred to Naivasha Sub-county Hospital where he stayed for two days. He was later moved to Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital where he was admitted for 11 days and underwent two surgeries.
“It pains me to see my son at home while his peers go to school. We were left with nothing. Well-wishers helped with medical costs. We thank Kenyans for standing with us but we plead with the President to keep his promise,” she said.
