- Since the El Nino rains, the county has been distributing relief food to the victims
- Tana River is seeking to permanently settle flood victims on higher grounds as a way of dealing with the flood disaster
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Two people have died after after being swept away by floods in Tana North, Tana River county.
The deaths come just a few months after 21 people died and 35,000 people were displaced by El Nino rains.
KenGen also issued an overflow warning of the nearby Masinga Dam.
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana said his administration is well prepared to handle the disaster.
He urged residents to move to higher grounds to avert more deaths.
"The county is currently staring at another disaster amidst an ongoing disaster. Some of the victims who were affected by the previous floods are still in camps," Godhana said.
He spoke in Malindi town after chairing a disaster response management committee with county commissioner David Koskei.
“I urge all the other stakeholders and development partners to pool resources and help deal with the flood menace,” Godhana said.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost many people to floods. It is about time we listened to what nature is saying."
Since the El Nino rains, the county has been distributing relief food to the victims.
Tana River is seeking to permanently settle flood victims on higher grounds as a way of dealing with the flood disaster.
Traditionally, flood victims moved to higher grounds and returned to their homes after flood waters subsided.
Godhana said he is spearheading a cluster programme that will settle people permanently on the higher grounds.
He said the programme will also address drought situations by creating human settlements on higher grounds and reserving the low lands for farming and grazing.
The governor said three secondary schools, seven primary schools and 31 Early Childhood Development Centres will be moved alongside other government installations.
Godhana appealed for support to implement the programme, which is currently being implemented by the county government.
Koskei said the national government is prepared for the floods.
“The committee has come up with mechanisms that will ensure that there is minimal human disruption as the long rains persist,” he said.
Koskei said the government is working to restore the roads that have been cut off by the heavy rains.
Some of the roads that were cut off by El Nino rains were Gamba Witu Road and Bura Madogo Road.