Tana River, Isiolo leaders urge immediate action over flood crisis

Tana River leaders are sounding the alarm on the urgent need for measures to address the flood crisis gripping the region.

Senator Danson Mungatana, Women Representative Amina Dika and Bura MP Yakub Adow reiterated the need for immediate action from both the national and county governments regarding the flood disaster in Tana River County.

Senator Mungatana emphasised the need for a lasting solution to the recurring floods, proposing options such as raising existing dam levels or constructing new ones to mitigate overflow impacts on communities downstream.

“There are two ways... either increase the level of the existing dams so they can hold more water, or construct new dams that will help contain and control the released water at a level where people can manage their lives without causing damage,” he said as he urged the government to start considering a proper compensation mechanism.

“With no hospital, no school, no mosque, no church everything has been swept away. Therefore, we ask for a proper compensation mechanism where citizens are reimbursed for their property and assisted. Additionally, we take this opportunity as leaders of Tana River to request aid in food and medicine. Even before this disaster, we had outbreaks of cholera in certain areas. In Garsen, a small facility was set up to monitor infections, but it is not enough, we still ask for help from the national government because people are suffering.”



Hardest hit

According to the Senator, Tana River County, and in particular the constituencies of Bura, Galole and Garsen, has been hit hard by this disaster.

He mentioned the water from Bura Constituency, which is near Garissa, will continue to flow through Galole and reach Garsen.

Women Representative Amina Dika echoed the call for urgent assistance, emphasising the dire need for food and medical aid in flood-affected areas, where cholera outbreaks have already been reported.

"Families are grappling with profound loss and displacement," she lamented, underscoring the immediate need for food, medical aid, and shelter.

"We must act decisively to alleviate the suffering of our people and rebuild their shattered lives."

In Saka, Tana River County, we evacuated 24 people to safety last night.

The individuals were surrounded by raging waters during the day and were unable to access the mainland for safety.

All are now safe. pic.twitter.com/JAhRTz3fSV

— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 28, 2024

The leaders stressed the importance of swift action to alleviate human suffering and prevent further loss of life, citing the recent Mororo boat tragedy which has so far claimed seven lives.

"This is not just about responding to a crisis, it is about ensuring the resilience and well-being of our communities," Bura MP Yakub Adow said.

"We must come together, now more than ever, to provide effective relief and chart a path toward long-term recovery."

They sent their condolences to the families of those who perished in the Madogo boat tragedy.

Meanwhile, Isiolo's Cherab MCA Halima Abgudo appealed for humanitarian aid for more than 500 families displaced by floods in Merti North and South occasioned by the bursting of River Ewaso Nyiro's banks, following heavy downpours in neighbouring counties.

Several schools including Merti Muslim Primary and Hamsa Academy have been marooned and a number of roads and boreholes damaged leaving the residents in dire need of assistance including rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure to restore essential services and support recovery efforts.

Halima said the affected families were at risk of disease outbreak due to water contamination, imploring the health department to provide them with medical supplies and aqua tabs for water treatment.

"I appeal to well-wishers, donors and philanthropic organisations to provide assistance to the flood victims including food and non-food items such as tents, water purifiers, detergents, mosquito nets and utensils," she said.

Among the most-hit areas are Shambole, Olla Ganna, Biliqi Manyatta, Shauri Yako and Kambi Juu areas.

The legislator further said building long-term resilience and preparedness measures would reduce communities' vulnerability to future natural disasters in the area that is frequently impacted by disasters, especially during the rainy season.

The county government has in the current financial year 2023/24 set aside Sh110 million to tackle emergencies in the 10 wards, out of which Sh50 million had been spent as of December last year, a recent budget implementation report by the Controller of Budget shows.

In Sericho, an earlier decision to relocate Iresaboru and Malka Manza primary schools which have for long suffered floods disrupting learning for hundreds of pupils, is paying off.

Sub-County Education Director Madera Bonaya told Eastleigh Voice that temporal facilities for the two schools at Hagarsu and Sabarsa areas, about 11 kilometres from their initial locations, had been completed.

The government through the State Department of Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) Lands provided 1400 iron sheets and other items for construction of the classes at both schools. Parents also supported the exercise.

"The schools are now safe from floods because the new location is on higher ground. The only challenge they have is access to water and sanitation," Madera said.

Hundreds of pupils from both schools last term studied under trees for three weeks as the current facilities that also include staff quarters were being set up.

County Director of Education Caroline Mugo said the government would expedite repair of hundreds of pit latrines in public primary and secondary schools across the county that have been damaged by the heavy rains.

Close to 150 latrines had by Tuesday been reported to have been damaged by the rains with the number said to be increasing by the day.

"We have no major challenges to warrant delayed reopening. We are working towards ensuring the damaged toilets are repaired by the time learners resume school," Mugo said.

The floods being experienced across the country had by April 30 claimed 169 lives and left 102 people nursing various injuries with 91 people reported missing.

More than 30, 000 households have been displaced according to government reports.