- Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua toured the county today and admitted that indeed the county was severely affected and assured leaders and residents that they will be given special attention for support in the form of relief food.
- Gachagua spoke as leaders called for urgent support for the community following an outbreak of cholera which could have serious health repercussions if action is not taken.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
The National Government on Monday began air-dropping relief food to villages cut off by floods in Tana River County which is worst hit by the disaster.
Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua toured the county today and admitted that indeed the county was severely affected and assured leaders and residents that they will be given special attention for support in the form of relief food.
Gachagua spoke as leaders called for urgent support for the community following an outbreak of cholera which could have serious health repercussions if action is not taken.
The Deputy President earlier visited Garissa and Madogo before touring the expansive Tana River county which was hard hit by the disaster.
Most villages are flooded with roads leading to major towns and neighbouring counties cut off.
He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (roads) Penina Malonza (Regional Development and ASAL, Kenyan Red Cross Secretary General Idriss Ahmed, UN and World Food program’s top Representatives, Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana, former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado, Senator Danson Mungatana, Garsen MP Ali Wario, his Galole Counterpart Said Hiribae and Woman Rep Amina Dika.
In his speech, the Deputy president said out of all the counties affected by floods Tana River was leading.
“We have food brought by the National Government and Red Cross. The county government has been distributing. As we speak today, we have begun airdrops to the areas which are cut off,” he said.
Gachagua said the areas they began distributing food to include Kone, Asa, Ozi, Galili, Kitere, Mwina, Chara Kone Malisa, Salama, and Kilelengwani among other areas.
He said President William Ruto has dispatched KDF choppers, lorries and other security agencies transport systems to dispatch the food to the affected areas.
He said they have allocated Sh. 1 billion to the Ministry of Roads and part of the funds shall be dispatched to repair roads destroyed by floods in Tana River.
He said they will distribute 6000 mosquito nets, drugs, and cholera kits to address the health crisis following the cholera outbreak.
“It's our responsibility as leaders to ensure there is no Kenyan who will die as a result of Hunger,” he said.
The DP also said as a Government, they fully support the cluster program idea initiated by the Governor of Tana River.
He announced that he would have a meeting with the Tana River legislators this Thursday after which they will have another meeting with the Governor to agree on the strategy for kickstarting the cluster program to end the long-term programs.
The Governor on his part said the floods situation in Tana River and about 80 per cent of the entire population have now been affected and the situation is worsening.
He said relief distribution should not be selective as has previously been done as all the displaced and those who are in safe areas have been affected by the disaster directly and indirectly.
Godhana urged those who are yet to leave the flood areas to leave immediately as the situation will get worse.
“I am telling you the truth, I have been told that there are three more dams which are about to be opened because they are full, please do not wait for the Governor’s boat or Red Cross. Leave immediately, if you won't leave now in April there will be more floods,” he said.
Mungatana on his part said there is a need for the government to give relief food to all the people of Tana River as no one has been left out during the disaster.
“The current floods are worse than the previous El Nino. Previously they would flood to a certain level but now it's worse as areas like Hewani have also been cut off which has never been witnessed,” he said.
Garsen MP who was the host said there is an outbreak of cholera and there is an urgent need for intervention to save the locals from the health crisis.
He also emphasized that the food distribution should be targeted to his entire constituency as the current allocation was not enough.
The Woman Rep- on her part said the cholera outbreak loomed and called on the National Government to give special attention to Tana River as it is badly hit.