Makueni Member of Parliament Susan Ndunge Kiamba Speaking on Thursday during a bursary cheques disbursement exercise at Wote Green Park in Wote Nziu Ward. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Makueni Member of Parliament Susan Ndunge Kiamba has urged residents to exercise extreme caution during the ongoing rainy season following a series of tragic drowning incidents across the county.
Speaking on Thursday during a bursary cheques disbursement exercise at Wote Green Park in Wote Nziu Ward, the MP warned residents against attempting to cross flooded seasonal rivers, noting that several lives have already been lost since the onset of the March–April–May rains.
“At this time of heavy rains, we are appealing to our people to be patient and avoid crossing rivers when the water levels are high. Most of the rivers in Makueni are seasonal, and when it rains the water flows very fast and unpredictably,” said Kiamba.
Her remarks come amid growing concern over rising water-related fatalities in the county. According to local reports, at least five people have drowned in rivers and dams in different parts of Makueni since the rains began earlier this month. The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday night when a driver was swept away by the raging waters of the Isuuni River in Mukuyuni.
The MP cautioned residents against underestimating the strength of flowing water, emphasizing that even shallow-looking rivers can quickly turn deadly.
“Please do not cross the river when it is flooded. It is very sad for someone to lose their life because of rushing across water that could easily subside within a short time,” she said, urging residents to wait until water levels drop before attempting to cross.
Despite the safety warning, the event also marked a significant milestone in the constituency’s education support programme. Kiamba confirmed that the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) will distribute Sh75 million in bursaries across Makueni Constituency to support needy students.
She thanked residents of Wote Nziu Ward for turning up in large numbers to witness the exercise, describing the turnout as a demonstration of the community’s commitment to education.
“I sincerely thank the residents of Wote Nziu Ward for their overwhelming support and cooperation during today’s bursary disbursement exercise. Your presence shows how much our community values education and the future of our children,” she said.
The bursary programme, she noted, plays a critical role in easing the financial burden on parents and guardians while ensuring that deserving students remain in school.
Kiamba emphasized that investing in education remains key to the long-term development of the constituency and urged residents to continue supporting initiatives aimed at empowering young people.
“As a community, we must continue working together to support our students. Education is the foundation of progress, and by investing in our children today we are building a stronger and more prosperous future for Wote Nziu Ward and the entire society,” she added.
Even as the bursary programme brings relief to many families, leaders and emergency officials are now intensifying public awareness campaigns urging residents to remain vigilant during the rainy season, particularly in areas prone to flash floods and fast-flowing seasonal rivers.
