• Governor says the education institutions need to be inspected for safety
• He has also issued an alert over 28 risky dams in the county which have filled up
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Uasin Gishu county is assessing schools to establish the effects of the ongoing heavy rains on buildings and enforce repairs in readiness for learning.
Speaking after an emergency meeting of the disaster management team on Monday, Governor Jonathan Bii said the education institutions to be inspected for safety.
He has also issued an alert over 28 dams in the county that have filled up and could spill over due to the ongoing heavy rains.
"We have already sent in our disaster management teams and also educated communities in the affected areas on the impending dangers," Bii said.
He said 278 dams were assessed and the 28 found to be in a risky state.
The team ordered all those living in risky areas near the dams and along river banks to move out immediately.
About 70 families affected by floods at Cheptiret have been assisted by the county and other stakeholders.
Bii said the county has deployed more than 10 heavy machinery to open up spill ways at the dams and repair drainage systems to mitigate floods as the intensity of rains increases.
Present also at the meeting were county comissioner Dr Eddison Nyale, Deputy Governor John Barorot, Red Cross North Rift coordinator Oscar Okumu and Finance executive Micah Rogony.
President William Ruto ordered the indefinite closure of all schools due to floods in many parts of the country.
Bii said they were carrying out an assessment of schools in the county ahead of the reopening of the institutions next week.
Bii and his deputy urged parents to ensure they escort children to and from schools due to the ongoing heavy rains.
He directed schools in the region not to release children due to heavy rains to ensure they are safe.
Okumu said they had also done an assessment in the seven counties in the region, where two, including Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi, had been identified as being at high risk to flooding effects.
He said they had activated all response teams and designated stores where the required aid would be stored for emergency cases.
"We are working with the national government and the counties to ensure we respond accordingly to all situations like we did at Cheptiret."
Bii advised residents, including drunkards, to avoid crossing rivers, which are now full to the brim.
"We urge our people not to fight with water. Give way to water instead seeking to confront nature," Bii said.