Heavy downpour, floods kill one in Machakos County

One person was yesterday confirmed dead following floods at 360 Estate in Syokimau, Machakos county as the heavy rains continued to wreak havoc across parts of the country.

The victim died from flood waters following heavy downpour in the area over the weekend.

Some 17 others were evacuated by a multi-agency team comprising the County Emergency Disaster Management Unit, the Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Operations Centre.

The victims’ homes had been marooned after the River Athi burst its banks following a heavy downpour on Saturday night.

A temporary rescue centre has been set up at Kinanie dispensary to provide shelter to the affected people.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti called on residents living in flood prone areas to move to safer grounds to avert further loss of lives and property.

Wavinya also disclosed that emergency response teams had been activated to safely evacuate residents affected by flooding.

“I am requesting our people to kindly stay away from flooded rivers. However, we have put our joint teams on standby to be in a position to evacuate residents who may be at risk of the floods,” she said.

The governor, who spoke when she toured the area, said her government had mobilised both food and non-food items for those seeking shelter at the rescue centre.

Wavinya further said many of the drainages that had been clogged, leading to the flooding of the waters in Syokimau, had been cleared.

In Kisumu, the county government donated assorted food and non-food items worth Sh4.8 million to victims of floods in the county. The county authorities pledged to spend more money in procuring more food stuffs to distribute to those affected.

Yesterday, the County Public service Executive Judy Oluoch who flagged off the food’s items on behalf of Governor Anyang Nyong’o, said more supplies were on the way.

“This is just the first consignment, we are organising for more supplies to be distributed to the affected households,’’ she said. Some of the affected victims are currently camping at primary school and church grounds in Nyando and Muhoroni constituency.

Nyando is the most affected with more than 4,000 households spending the night in the cold.

 Jane Atieno, a victim said they are now exposed to malaria, and bilharzia while spending nights in the cold.

In Tana River county, the county government and stakeholders launched medical programmes to thousands of households affected by the floods.

At least 9,000 residents drawn from Kibokoni, Buramoyo, Darga, Odarda, Mbebezoni, and Shirikisho villages were saved from the agony of traveling long distances to seek medical services.

Expectant women and children were the beneficiaries, enjoying services such as immunisation, pre- and antenatal care, and others in the open-air medical camps at Shirikisho village.

Salma Wadhe, residents used to have to travel long distances to the nearest health dispensary, which is seven kilometers away at Semikaro.

 The county government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kenya Red Cross moved in to equip outreach clinics with essential medicines and other medical services, including health education.

  “We are deeply grateful for the benefits of the medical outreaches. The support from UNICEF and the Kenya Red Cross, in conjunction with the County government, has truly transformed health matters in our area,” said Wadhe.

In Nairobi, the county government has once again put on notice developers who have built on riparian reserves and reclaimed river sections.

Acting county Secretary Patrick Akivaga said the flooding witnessed in the city was largely attributed to estates, buildings and other structures developed along these sections.

“We urge all those who have built in these areas to vacate. The county has commenced efforts to open up rivers where they have been encroached to reduce the impact of excess water,” Akivaga said.

In Homa Bay and Busia counties, residents affected by the floods also received donations from the national government and well-wishers.

Speaking to the press at Bunyala DCC’s office premises, Principal Secretary for ASALS and Regional Development Kellow Harsama said the items consisted of 400 bags of rice, 720 bags of beans, and 20 bags of fortified foods.

Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru said a team from the NYS will be dispatched to the area within a period of less than two weeks to rectify the dykes as the government seeks a permanent solution for the flood menace.

– Noven Owiti, Kepher Otieno, Ronald Mwadzombo and KNA