Government Calls for Vigilance Along Tana River

The Government has issued a public safety warning, urging citizens to brace themselves for potential flooding and evacuation orders in various parts of the country. 

Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kithure Kindiki, said critical needs are required as part of proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.

The alert on Wednesday comes as the Seven-Forks Hydro-electric Power Dams, including the significant Masinga Dam, have reached full capacity, with spillage already occurring through managed structural spillways. 

While immediate effects are contained within the vicinity of Masinga Dam, further precipitation could trigger cascading overflow into adjacent dams, heightening the risk of flooding in settlements downstream, particularly in the Kiambere area.

Of particular concern are communities residing along the Tana River and River Thiba catchment areas, where increased water levels could lead to riverbank breaches and subsequent flooding in Garissa, the Tana Delta, and Lamu Counties. Additionally, western regions, including Homa Bay, Siaya, and Busia, are at risk of inundation, along with low-lying areas in Migori, Kakamega, and Vihiga.

The alert extends to urban areas with compromised drainage systems, as well as vulnerable regions prone to mudslides, such as Narok, Kajiado, and Mombasa. 

“To address these imminent threats, the Government has activated the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), convening the Multi-Agency Disaster Management Team to coordinate response efforts across ministries and agencies” said CS Kindiki.

Collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society and other humanitarian organizations have aided the government response to a comprehensive and coordinated approach in mitigating the impact of potential flooding. 

County Security and Intelligence Teams have been directed to work closely with local governments to monitor and report situations, ensuring swift interventions to protect lives and property.

In the event of escalating risks, the Interior Ministry said it stands ready to issue mandatory evacuation orders in specific areas deemed unsafe, prioritizing public safety above all else. 

Kenyans have been urged to exercise caution, plan their movements, and refrain from risky behavior near water bodies. This will minimize the loss of life and property in the face of impending natural disasters.

The devastating flooding was caused by intense downpours in the highlands, swelling the rivers as they made their way towards the sea and bursting the banks.

Farmland was covered in a layer of silt. Goats, cows, sheep’s and hens drowned and grazing pasture immersed underwater. Lives and livelihoods have been hit hard.