Disasters not only deepen existing vulnerabilities but also create new ones, often leaving communities in critical conditions.
SEI Africa’s Pauline Macharia spotlights the struggles of Kihoto residents in Kenya, who face recurring floods with little official aid, underscoring the broader challenges of disaster management in vulnerable communities.
As of June 2024, a report by the Kenya Red Cross showed that the flooding crisis across Kenya had affected over 101 132 people. More than 55 000 families were displaced, and 249 people lost their lives.
In Kihoto, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Naivasha town, residents have faced displacement due to flooding from Lake Naivasha. Since 2020, rising waters have caused widespread destruction, leaving many homeless and one dead.
The increase in Lake Naivasha’s water levels, like other Rift Valley lakes, results from several factors. Climate change and increased rainfall play a role, but geological processes and human activities also contribute.
After the 2020 floods, SEI researchers conducted a study, Vulnerability to displacement: the case of Kihoto, Kenya. It highlighted the lack of official assistance as a significant factor in community vulnerability during disasters. A recent visit to the area shows that the situation has worsened, with rising waters continuing to impact residents without adequate support.
In May 2024, the area was hit by rising waters again, catching residents off-guard and leading to mass displacements similar to those in 2020.
We spoke to David Omoto, a 48-year-old resident who has lived in Kihoto for a decade. He lives with his wife and two children. Like many of his neighbours, the route to his house is partially submerged and almost impassable. Many residents have resorted to using stepping stones to reach their homes.
Omoto described how the floods of 2020 forced him and his family out of their home in a nearby area. At that time, they received KES 4,000 from the county government, which helped them relocate. Four years later, they are facing the same situation, but now without any government support.
Many residents, including Omoto, have been reluctant to leave. Omoto explains that moving is expensive, and with a limited income, he prioritizes feeding his family over saving for relocation. Life outside Kihoto is costly, especially for casual labourers like himself.
Omoto and his wife work on flower farms. Much of their income goes towards their child’s college fees, rent and food. When the floods first hit, many families sent their children to their villages while the parents stayed behind to work. Now, they have become accustomed to living in flooded conditions, though this exposes them to waterborne diseases.
Omato recalls moving his 10-year-old son after the 2020 floods to protect him from the rising waters. Many others do not have this option and must live with their children in the flooded areas.
“I had only KES 1,000 to send him to the village. The water was unsafe for him. We had to take him to safety. Right now, we can’t afford to move. We must buy food first,” Omoto said.
An inspection of the neighbourhood washrooms reveals that many toilets are flooded. The contaminated water is mixed with borehole water, which is used for household purposes. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases, especially for children who play in the stagnant water.
A few meters from Omoto’s home, we met 20-year-old Tabitha Njeri. She and her family were displaced, but they had the financial means to relocate. However, her family has also faced challenges. Her mother had taken a loan to build rental properties, but the floods left the houses submerged and uninhabitable.
“You see the conditions here; it would be unfair to ask tenants to pay rent. So, we just let them stay,” said Njeri.
Her family’s only source of income was the rent from these properties, so Tabitha now works to support herself and her younger brother. Although her mother tried to renovate and protect the property, they now face the burden of paying rent elsewhere.
Tabitha expressed frustration over being judged each time the waters recede and they return home. Many fail to understand why they go back, and the cycle of flooding and brings constant . She misses her home and friends, emphasizing the emotional strain of their situation.
The stories of Omoto and Tabitha show that during a disaster, people need more than just blankets. Emergency responses, while essential, do not address all the needs. For instance, the sub-county administrator, Edward King’ori, said the government tries to provide special food aid for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. However, residents complain that aid only reaches a few.
The government has marked Kihoto as riparian land and encourages people to relocate to safer areas. But many return once the water recedes. The area chief, Josephine Ndung’u, said economic hardship is the biggest challenge. Many residents do not see the water as a significant threat because the flat terrain gives a false sense of security. She also noted the absence of an effective early warning system. Early warning systems play a significant role in mitigating the impact of natural disasters like floods.
When functioning effectively, these systems can provide timely alerts to communities, allowing them to take necessary precautions and evacuate to safer areas. The absence of such a system in Kenya has exacerbated the challenges faced by those affected by the floods.
“There’s silence as the water rises. People wait, not seeing it as a threat, perhaps because they are united in a shared experience and the flat land makes them feel safe,” said Ndung’u.
In extreme cases, the county government has helped some residents with rent to facilitate relocation. However, most aid is limited to necessities like blankets and food, which do not address the long-term challenges.
Stephen Maina, officer in charge of the Naivasha Red Cross, said their efforts prioritize the most vulnerable by customizing aid to meet individual needs. Their support includes kitchen items, blankets, mosquito nets, sanitary pads and counselling services, but the level of assistance depends on available resources.
“At the Red Cross, we assess each household’s situation and distribute aid accordingly. A single-person household, for example, would not receive the same amount of food aid as a family of five, as their needs differ. This needs-based approach helps us allocate resources effectively and ensures the most vulnerable are supported,” said Maina.
SEI researchers suggested several ways to help Kihoto residents recover financially, based on their findings from the study:
The stories from Kihoto make it clear: disaster survivors need more than immediate relief. Without official support and sustainable solutions, communities remain vulnerable to recurring crises and continued hardship.
As water levels rise, comprehensive, proactive and inclusive measures are essential. Investments in early warning systems, economic support and long-term strategies can help vulnerable areas like Kihoto recover and build resilience. Without these efforts, the cycle of displacement and suffering will persist, leaving residents with little hope for a stable future.
This story was written by Pauline Macharia as part of her capstone project for the Communication and Gender Fellowship at the Aga Khan Graduate School of Media and Communications.
Project / The project aims to strengthen the understanding of the particularities of disaster displacement in urban settings.
SEI working paper / The authors provide an overview of the socio-economic impacts and displacement outcomes on the informal settlement of Kihoto, Kenya, post-flooding.
Feature / This in-depth feature examines the struggles faced by Kihoto, a lakeside town in Kenya, after devastating floods displaced thousands of residents.
Feature / SEI Africa strengthens its partnership with the IPCC to address air pollution and boost regional climate research.
