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Fear grips locals as River Tana waters spill into homes in Galole

Mariam Faraj, a flood victim, wades through the water from the River Tana that has spilled into her house in Laza,Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | 06 May 2024

Gitonga's house is almost entirely submerged in water, forcing him to move his family to a tent as he contemplates where next to move.

Residents in the Laza Area of Tana River County woke up to the water from River Tana flooding their homes.

Residents in areas that have not been rocked by floods in the past suddenly woke up to their kitchen utensils swimming to their bedrooms as the water flooded their homes.

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Children stood in the night cold while others swam to safer grounds as their parents moved household items to neighbouring houses and others on the road.

"I moved 200 chickens from 3 am to 5 am while my wife was moving household items. We didn't anticipate such but it seems this is the start of a more serious issue," said Salim Gitonga, one of the flood victims.

Gitonga's house is almost entirely submerged in water, forcing him to move his family to a tent as he contemplates where next to move.

He fears losing his property worth more than Sh150,000 as the crisis deepens.

Salim Gitonga outside his flooded house in Hola, following the spillage from the swollen River Tana in Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

"This is just the start and already it has reached us, in the next two or three days, we shall have a different story," he said.

High alert

In Hola Area, water spilling from the River Tana is fast flowing towards Hola Town. Residents are on high alert and are moving their property by the roadside.

Mariam Faraj has begun moving out of her property to join her neighbours at Kone-Laza Road with the water level in her house now reaching knee-level.

"My child woke me up at night since she was sleeping on the floor, and water was coming in through the door. Immediately I opened the door, the house flooded and we have been moving since then," she said.

As she contemplates her next move, Mariam appeals to well-wishers to help them settle, and to other people to vacate the area as early as possible.

Taksan Omar, a human rights activist notes that the focus now needs to shift towards Tana River County.

Taksan Omar, a human rights activist during an interview in the flooded villages in Galole Constituency, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

"The county government has a budget of Sh133 million. Many times they are biased when it comes to giving out help. We are on the watch this time...Let Galole people be prioritised this time," he said.

More than 150 households have been affected, as the flooded River Tana flows towards the delta, spilling into neighbouring villages.