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As heavier-than-usual rains persist in many parts of Kenya, thousands of students affected by flooding remain at home, a week after their peers reported back to school after an extended first-term break.

Most students have failed to report back because either their schools were inundated with floodwaters and their infrastructure was damaged, lack basic school items or are unable to cross swollen rivers.

In Witeithie village, Juja, Kiambu County, hundreds of learners have spent one week at home with no sign that they will return to school any time soon. Their basic school items such as books and uniforms were swept away by floods.

The affected students, who are from low-income backgrounds, lack books, uniforms and other essentials that they have been unable to replace, said Joseph Waweru, a member of the Nyumba Kumi group in the village.

Waweru spoke after he and other villagers received basic aid from Zetech University and other well-wishers. He said life had become difficult for locals because of floods.

“Children are bearing the brunt of the disaster because their parents live in rental houses that were heavily flooded. Remember most of these parents rely on casual jobs in quarries that were also filled with floodwaters,” Waweru said.

“Schoolchildren from such homes have been left helpless and hopeless as they have nothing to facilitate their return to school, including uniforms, books and school fees. Staying at home was inevitable and only the government can help them.”

Trail of destruction

Other flood victims, including Mary Kamande, decried that life has been difficult for them since heavy rains began falling the area.

“The devastating floods have ravaged us and turned us into beggars. Most of us were completely displaced and now desperately need assistance,” Kamande said.

“In our temporary residential camps, our children cannot go to school, as their crucial documents and uniforms were swept away by water.”

Kamande noted that The natural disaster left a trail of destruction in the the village, including loss of property and the places they used to call home. She urged the government to help learners still roaming in villages for lack of basic school items. The most affected in Juja, she said, were children those live in lowlands where most quarries are located and which were the most flooded.

“The government can and should promptly intervene to ensure that learners still at home because of one reason or another go back so that they can catch up with their peers who have been in school for a week now,” Kamande added.

Over 150 families benefited from the aid, which included blankets, foodstuffs, umbrellas and other essentials providing them with much-needed relief in the face of adversity.

For his part, Zetech University Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing John Mwai called on Kenyans to join hands and extend a hand of love to their fellow suffering citizens.

Zetech University also donated umbrella sheds to flood-affected traders.

“At Zetech University, we recognise the profound impact of the floods on the lives of our fellow citizens. Through this initiative, we aim to extend a helping hand to those grappling with the devastating consequences of the disaster,” Mwai said.

 Besides Zetech University, others who supported the affected families included Crime Si Poa – Youth Safety Awareness Initiative and Oshwal Mahila Mandal.

Oshwal Mahila Mandal chairperson Bharti Raja stressed the transformative impact of collective action in addressing humanitarian challenges.