DP Gachagua meets Tana River leaders over El Nino mitigation efforts

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday convened a closed-door meeting with Tana River leaders at his Karen residence.

The meeting comes two days after his visit to the flood-affected areas in Tana River County.

"This morning at the official residence in Karen, I held a follow-up meeting with Tana River leaders to discuss the El Nino situation in the county and the government's intervention," Gachagua stated.

"Together with the leadership and our partners, we assessed the situation and provided humanitarian support, including food, mosquito nets and medicine, which the Government continues to supply."

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with leaders from Tana River County at Karen, Nairobi on December 7, 2023.(Photo: DPCS)

The DP said the government is firming up more immediate action as it works to restore normalcy and lasting solutions.

Leaders present at the meeting were Senator Danson Mungatana, Woman Representative Amina Dika, MPs Ali Wario Guyo (Garsen), Hiribae Buya (Galole) and Yakub Dubow Kuno of Bura.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with leaders from Tana River County at Karen, Nairobi on December 7, 2023.(Photo: DPCS)

Tana River Governor Dadho Godhana who has been assessing the situation in the county assured residents of the urgent intervention from the county, national government, humanitarian agencies and other wellwishers.

Last week, he called for patience following the devastating effects of the floods which he said affected a large population within the county.

“The journey towards recovery may be arduous, but with collaborative efforts, we will all emerge stronger, “said the governor.

The governor has already unveiled a nine-member committee led by a prominent businessman Mr Fahim Bayussuf to appeal for humanitarian support from wellwishers in aid of the flood victims of Tana River county.

The government announced on Wednesday that the death toll resulting from the ongoing El Niño rains had reached 165.

The government disclosed that floods have displaced 107,843 households, affecting around 539,215 individuals.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura added that Taita Taveta, Migori, and Meru counties were the most severely impacted with Lamu and Tana River counties likely to join the list due to the expected continuation of floods.