Ms Jane Kahonge sat quietly among other victims as she followed proceedings during a memorial service for over 60 people killed in floods that swept Maai Mahiu in Nakuru one year ago.
In the early morning of April 29, 2024, Ms Kahonge’s life was shattered when floodwaters swept through her home. That night, she lost her husband, John Kahonge, and their two children, Andrea Njoroge, 10, and Favour Wanjiru, 2. Her other child, six-year-old son Daniel Gathinga survived.
The bodies of her husband and son Andrea were recovered and later buried in Kinangop, Nyandarua County. But the body of her daughter, Favour, has never been found.
Twelve months on, the pain of that loss clings to her, horror memories of that dark day flooding back as she recollects the tragedy that ruined her life.
“I buried my husband and our son. I saw their bodies and said goodbye. But I have never seen my daughter again. I have never held her, not even in death. I stood by the riverbanks every day for weeks hoping she would be found.
‘We have been forgotten’ Maai Mahiu floods tragedy victims tell of broken promises
“I kept thinking maybe she’s alive, maybe someone found her. Or maybe, at the very least, I’d find her body and bury it. But days turned into weeks and now it’s one year,” Ms Kahonge said in an interview.
A year later, while the village is slowly rebuilding, Ms Kahonge says time has stood still for her. Some homes have been reconstructed and children run and laugh again. But for Ms Kahonge, every day is a reminder of the loved one she lost.
Despite the time that has passed, she clings to hope that one day she will find her daughter’s body and finally say goodbye.
“I don’t want much. I don’t even want answers. I just want my daughter’s body. I want to bury her and tell her goodbye like I did for her father and our son. That’s the only way I can begin to heal. I don’t know if I’ll ever find her, but I will never stop looking,” Ms Kahonge said in tears.
Ms Mary Muthoni Mwangi, lost eight family members.
“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.
That fateful day, residents woke up to a nightmare that forever altered the region’s history.
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
A water-filled gulley that was holding water from heavy rains collapsed in the dead 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, the area had become a wasteland.
More than 60 lives were lost, properties of unknown value were destroyed and those who survived were left with emotional and physical scars.
On Tuesday, residents gathered for the memorial service to reflect on a year marked by grief, anger and what they described as broken promises.
Ms Frida Karemi Munywa, a mother of four, said her 11-year-old son was left disabled. He now uses crutches after suffering serious leg and arm injuries that have disrupted his education. The boy, a Grade Six pupil, has not returned to school since the tragedy. She cannot afford transport and his condition makes walking impossible.
Mai Mahiu flood victims during a memorial service on April 29, 2025 at Mai 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
After the disaster, he was first treated at Okland Hospital in Maai 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. We plead with the President to keep his promise,” she said.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Kenya Red Cross, the National Youth Service, the Kenya Defence Forces and volunteers embarked on an extensive search and recovery operation, retrieving bodies buried in sludge and debris.
Government officials, including President William Ruto and other leaders visited the area and promised compensation, resettlement and infrastructure restoration.
Organised by the Maai Mahiu Pastors Unity Fellowship, the service on Tuesday brought together survivors, bereaved families and community members still struggling to rebuild their lives. Notably absent were 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.
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 has been 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 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 even 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 up to his words.”
Mr Kamau also criticised Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, saying she has not returned to Maai Mahiu since the memorial service last year despite promising to walk with bereaved families and help them to 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, there has been no tangible action a year on.
The clergy further claimed that the government has failed to honour the pledge of Sh300 million promised on May 9, 2024, through the Ministry of Housing, for the building of new houses and repairing the Maai Mahiu–Kijabe road, vital in connecting the area to Kijabe Hospital.
They said that the government has shifted its focus and prioritised the repair of the railway infrastructure without addressing the urgent needs of the community, leaving the people suffering.
