1,048 people rescued from flooded homes in Baringo

Some of those rescued from their flooded homes in Baringo South. (Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

By Mary Wambui
Monday, May 6, 2024

More however remain trapped in the Sintaan area in Marigat where efforts to rescue over 230 households are ongoing.

Over a thousand people have been rescued from their flooded homes in Baringo South during the past two days, the Kenya Red Cross now says.

"In the last two days, 1,048 people from Longeiwan, Sintaan and Eldume in Baringo South have been successfully evacuated to safety as of yesterday evening. This was made possible with support from the National and County government, community members, Savage Wilderness and the Kenya Red Cross," the organisation said on Monday.

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More however remain trapped in the Sintaan area in Marigat where efforts to rescue over 230 households are ongoing with support from both governments, private organisations and the community.

On Saturday, a total of 101 people including 43 adults and 58 children were evacuated by a multi-agency rescue team to safety after being marooned by floodwaters in Eldume, Baringo South Sub County.

Latest government statistics show that a total of 219 persons have lost their lives countrywide due to severe weather conditions, 164 were injured and 72 are still missing.

Kenya Red Cross officials help in the evacuation of locals from their flooded homes in Baringo County. (Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

Another group of approximately 206,240 have been displaced by the ongoing flooding situation in the country and have been distributed in camps set up in community halls, churches and schools across the country.

No alarm for the moment

As persons close to water reservoirs move to safer grounds across the country as advised by the Ministry of Interior last week to avert the effects of water spillage, local communities living at the catchment area of Turkwel dam have been assured that there's no cause for alarm at the moment.

The Turkana County Government has said it is continuously monitoring the water levels at the dam with a view to implementing an existing spillage contingency plan in the event the dam fills.

"According to the Turkwel Spillage Contingency Plan, water levels in the dam are considered normal until they reach 1,114 meters. However, as of 6 pm on May 4, 2024, the water level in the dam stood at 1,136.42 meters, significantly below the normal average of 1,114 meters. This information is crucial for monitoring and predicting potential spillage risks, enabling proactive measures to mitigate any adverse effects on the environment and local communities," the county said.

According to the county government, a threat of water spillage would only occur in particular instances including when continuous rainfall occurs in the catchment area of the dam and around the River Turkwel Basin.

The contingency plan has been in effect since 2020.

"To ensure the safety and preparedness of local communities, the county government, through the Directorate of Disaster Risk Management, is currently conducting community sensitisation efforts in all 156 villages, 30 wards and 11 sub-counties, engaging with the respective administrators," the statement adds.