Marooned family in Tana River floods rescued

A sick, elderly man and his family who were trapped were on Sunday rescued after a two-day flood assessment visit in the affected villages along the River Tana by Tana River Governor Maj (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana.

The governor reached out to Mr Iddi Baluku and his family who were marooned at the inaccessible Tune village in Tana River.

The family was relocated to safer grounds in the successful rescue mission.

This comes a day after the county government of Tana River announced plans to relocate residents living along the river.

Hundreds were last week displaced at Bakuyu, Ziwani, Mororo, Adheyle and other villages in Bura East, Garsen and Hola sub-counties in Tana River County after the River Tana burst its banks.

Governor Dhadho on Saturday announced that Tana River County is initiating a relocation plan to evacuate residents living along the banks of River Tana.

The family of Iddi Baluku who were marooned at Tune village in Tana River on 19 November 2023. (Photo: Courtesy)

During his tour of several villages in Madogo ward, affected by river floods, the governor emphasized the need for relocation due to the anticipated rains in the coming seven months.

"The county government will allocate land and acquire construction materials to build houses for those set to be relocated to safer grounds," he said.

Relief distribution

The governor assured that relief food distribution had begun for displaced families in Mororo, Ssla, Bakuyu, and Ziwani.

Iddi Baluku who was marooned at Tune village in Tana River on 19 November 2023. (Photo: Courtesy)

The Governor also guaranteed the deployment of motor boats and ambulances in various strategic flood zones for effective response and rescue missions.

Plans were also in progress to airlift food to residents of Wayu, Walesorea, Waldena, and Dakaja, where roads were rendered impassable by the El Nino rains.

Governor Dhadho highlighted a strategic plan for flood preparedness and response, involving the county government, national government, and the Kenya Red Cross.

The plan aims to reduce the impact of the expected prolonged El Nino rains.

The government on Saturday said the counties experiencing El Nino rains have risen from 19 to 33 over the past week.

In a statement issued Saturday by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding the flood situation in Kenya, some of the worst affected counties include Mombasa, Garissa, Tana River, Makueni, Marsabit, Kilifi, Kwale, Meru, Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu, Wajir, Homa Bay and Busia.

Earlier this week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the ongoing El Nino rains in Kenya had claimed 46 lives, with thousands more displaced by floods.