Kirinyaga county unblocks drainage system as heavy rains pound area

Kirinyaga county government has started clearing drainages and unblocking culverts in flood prone areas.

This is to improve the flow of water and in turn prevent flooding in the county as rains continue to pound the area.

Other activities include digging of extra water drainages and expansion of water canals.

The water drainage system and culverts in areas like Maisha Kamili, Soweto, Wang’uru Stadium and surrounding areas had been blocked by soils and debris hindering free flow of water resulting in flooding.

On Thursday Jared Migwi assured residents that the county administration is monitoring the situation.

Migwi is the the Kirinyaga County CEC for Transport, Roads, Public Works and Housing.

He noted that the administration is alert and taking prompt action and response to mitigate possibilities of disasters occasioned by the heavy downpour. 

“We have deployed our county roads machinery such as excavators, backhoes as well as trucks for quick response in case of flooding or blocked roads” Migwi said.

Floods have been experienced in Mwea marooning houses, farms and businesses and damaging a section of Wang’uru Stadium perimeter wall.

Migwi said the county government will erect a temporary fence to keep off vandals as they work with the national government to have the destroyed wall repaired.

Residents have welcomed the move by the county to clean the drainage system, noting that it will help mitigate the effects of the floods.

Elizabeth Muthoni, a resident of Maisha Kamili, said the digging of trenches along their area road will prevent runoff water from getting into their houses which has been a common occurrence.

On his part, Tebere MCA Peter Karinga, advised people living near rivers to move to higher grounds.

Karinga has further and cautioned residents from obstructing water drainage by building illegal structures and throwing dirt inside.

Area county commissioner Hussein Allasow On Tuesday cautioned residents living in flood prone areas to move to safer grounds.

Allasow said the area has been receiving above average rain causing flooding in some areas.

“Do not wait until your house is swept away or you are marooned by floods or even worse of all loss of life. Take action early,” Allasow urged.

He cited Mwea West, Kirinyaga East and Kirinyaga West as areas worst hit by flooding.