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Kindiki orders immediate inspection of dams amid ongoing deadly floods

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. (Photo: MINA)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 29 Apr 2024

The County Security and Intelligence Committees will recommend cases where compulsory evacuation and temporary resettlement orders are to be issued.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued a set of directives aimed at mitigating further loss of life and property amid the ongoing floods that have so far claimed over 100 lives across the country.

In a statement on Monday, the CS directed County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) across the Country to inspect all public and private dams and water reservoirs in their jurisdictions within 24 Hours.

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"County Security and Intelligence Committees to inspect all public and private dams and water reservoirs in their jurisdictions within 24 Hours effective at 2 pm today," he said.

The committees will also recommend cases where compulsory evacuation and temporary resettlement orders are to be issued.

So far, Kenya has tragically lost 103 lives due to the widespread flooding across the country, as reported by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Monday.

Speaking in Mombasa, Mwaura expressed concerns that the actual number of casualties could be even higher than reported.

CS Kindiki at the same time announced Kenyans attempting to cross flooded areas will be charged with attempted suicide.

Enforcement teams

This will be done by enforcement teams deployed to urban and rural road spots prone to stormwater flooding.

“Their primary objective will be to prevent motorists or pedestrians from engaging in dangerous crossovers and to arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide or attempted murder, as deemed appropriate,” Kindiki said.

Aerial view of the floods in Garissa county pic.twitter.com/uXVIi6LwsN
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 29, 2024

The CS stressed that the Kenya Kwanza Government was deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction of public and private property resulting from the ongoing floods.

However, he noted that some people were engaging in risky behaviours amidst the impact of the heavy rains.

"There are reports of continued risky behaviour by motorists and pedestrians and casual treatment by members of the public of weather forecast and voluntary evacuation advisories," the CS added.

Further, Kindiki noted concerns regarding unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of those in distress during storms by operating rudimentary canoes or boats for profit, thereby endangering the lives of passengers.

Tragedies

On Monday, at least 45 people lost their lives, after houses and vehicles were swept away in flash floods in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, after the Old Kijabe dam upstream in Kiambu County burst its walls, according to police sources.

UPDATES on Mai Mahiu floods: At least 45 people have lost their lives, houses and vehicles swept away by flash floods after a dam in Old Kijabe broke its banks pic.twitter.com/jKrEdYylGU
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 29, 2024

In the capital city of Nairobi, 32 individuals have been confirmed deceased due to the flooding.

Meanwhile, the government has suspended operations of private speed boats at the flooded Kona Punda area in Tana River County as two bodies were retrieved Monday after a boat capsized in Mororo, Tana River County on Sunday.

There are fears more bodies have been trapped in the flooded waters of River Tana as the search and rescue operations led by the Kenya Red Cross continue.

The impact of the flooding has been widespread, with 28,484 households displaced and a staggering 185,297 people affected across the nation.

Meanwhile, in Homa Bay County, the aftermath of severe flash floods that swept through the Sindo area on Sunday night has left several individuals unaccounted for, heightening fears of further loss of life.