State seeks long-term solution to Garissa, Tana River flooding

The government is looking into long term solutions to the flooding crisis affecting Garissa and Tana River counties, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.

He was speaking in Garissa during a mission to assess the flood situation, distribute relief food to victims and condole with the families of the victims who perished in last Sunday’s boat tragedy at Kona Punda area.

The DP said he will convene a meeting with area leaders led by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama next week to address the issue. 

“The last time I was here it was about floods. Today I  am here again on the same issue. Let me assure you next time this will not happen. As a government we are very much determined to make sure that we find a lasting  solution to this problem once and for all,” he said.

At least 10 people have lost their lives in Garissa, where a boat capsized four days ago, seven have been rescued and others are still missing.

Part of the Garissa-Madogo road has also been cut off by the floods resulting in a transport crisis.

The DP further revealed plans to invest Sh1.2 billion to construct a new bridge along the Garissa-Nairobi highway.

“I am happy to announce that that the contractor is already on site and has just started working on the new bridge project that extends to Kona Punda. Once complete the issue of that section of the road being cut off by floods will be a thing of the past,” he said.

He assured farmers that KenGen will compensate them for the loss of farm implements including the water pumps that were washed away into the river.

Efforts by the government to donate food and non-food items to Kenyans displaced by the floods are still ongoing. 

Defence CS Aden Duale echoed the DP's words saying President William Ruto's government was determined to find a permanent cure to the problem.

“It personally pains me when I see floods wreck havoc and cause untold suffering to our people. Worse is when lives are lost. As we speak, hundreds have been displaced from their homes. Farmers are also counting loses amounting to millions. Surely the situation cannot be left to continue like that,” he said.

Duale said he will make another visit to condole with the families that lost their loves ones through the boat tragedy and other incidents related to floods.

He called on the residents especially those who have not been affected by the floods to extend a helping hand to the victims by offering both food and non food items, saying Muslims are known to help each other during times of crisis.

Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir said as a long term measure to mitigate the flood phenomenon, KenGen will review the damage caused by the floods and work out compensation for the victims in constituencies along the lower Tana, which are affected.

He said the construction of the Grand High Dam will give a permanent solution to the Masinga dam spill.

"The spillage of the dams will be controlled through an ongoing multibillion project that will help to improve the retention capacity to address the overflow to the  River Tana," Chirchir said.

Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen also spoke of his commitment to address the Kona Punda section of the Garissa-Nairobi road.

The government is also considering the relocation of all living along the riparian land of River Tana to avert death and displacement.

Also present were ASALs and Regional Development Principal Secretary Harsama Kello, Senator Abdul Haji, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, MPs  Dekow Mohamed (Garissa Township), Yakub Adow (Bura), Abdi Ali (Ijara), Abdullahi Hussein (Lagdera) and Salah Yakub (Fafi).