The Kirinyaga county government has launched an operation to demolish illegal structures built on drainage systems as part of its efforts to mitigate flooding ahead of the anticipated short rains.
The exercise, which targets all major towns, involves clearing blocked drains, restoring natural waterways and educating residents on flood preparedness.
On Thursday, county enforcement officers, police and business community leaders began the operation in Kagio town, demolishing structures constructed atop or along stormwater drains.
Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Natural Resources, Water and Irrigation executive James Mutugi said such structures have been the main cause of perennial flooding in Kagio and other urban centres during rainy seasons.
“We are here today to make sure we clear our drainage system in readiness for the rains. This town floods every time it rains because most of the structures sit directly on the drainage lines. There’s no way we can stop flooding if canals are blocked,” Mutugi said.
He noted that most traders had already complied with vacate notices issued earlier, but a few had ignored the warnings.
“We issued two-week notices to those who had built on the drainage system. About 90 per cent complied. We urge residents to stop putting up structures along drainage lines so that we can keep our towns clean and free from floods,” he added.
Mutugi said the mushrooming of illegal structures has also made it difficult to clean the towns efficiently.
With the onset of the October rains, the county has intensified its efforts to unblock drainage systems to ensure free flow of stormwater. The demolition decision followed a consultative meeting between the county government and officials from the Kagio Business Community lobby group.
Mutugi also cautioned property owners against illegally connecting sewer lines to stormwater drains, warning that such practices compromise the drainage infrastructure.
“The drainage is meant for stormwater, not sewage. Every building should have a proper waste disposal system,” he said.
He added that similar operations would be rolled out in other major towns across the county as part of a broader environmental management and climate resilience initiative.
“This exercise will be extended to all towns within Kirinyaga. We urge residents to cooperate to make our county clean, flood-free and environmentally safe,” Mutugi said.
County government officials demolish structures established on drainage systems in Kagio town, Kirinyaga. ALICE WAITHERA
