Masinga Dam overflows./KNA
The government has issued an immediate voluntary evacuation advisory for residents in the Lower Tana River Basin amid mounting fears of flooding caused by heavy rains and rising dam water levels.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo sounded the alarm, urging residents living downstream of the Seven Forks hydropower cascade—particularly in Garissa and Tana River counties—to relocate to higher ground without delay.
“The most vulnerable areas include Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and the broader Lower Tana River Basin. We urge these communities to move to higher ground without delay,” Omollo stated in a statement.
The warning follows a dramatic surge in water inflows into the cascade system from the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare catchment zones.
According to Omollo, Kiambere Dam—the final reservoir in the cascade—has exceeded its full supply level, increasing the risk of uncontrolled flooding downstream.
“The potential for widespread flooding is both real and imminent,” he warned.
To mitigate the threat, the government has activated a full emergency response protocol. This includes coordination between the National Disaster Operations Centre, KenGen, local Disaster Response Committees, and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs).
Forecasts from the Kenya Meteorological Department predict continued rainfall from Friday, May 16, through Tuesday, May 20, potentially worsening the situation.
Authorities are also monitoring water levels in the upstream dams—Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma—with KenGen managing controlled spillages to preserve the structural integrity of the facilities.
In preparation for possible mass displacement, public schools, churches, and designated government buildings are being readied as temporary shelters.
Public health and humanitarian support teams, including the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), have been deployed to assist with evacuation and relief operations.
Omollo stressed the seriousness of the situation and called on all residents in flood-prone zones to heed the advisory.
“Safety is paramount. We urge everyone in the affected regions to act now and cooperate with emergency teams to avoid tragedy,” he said.
