Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued an early-warning alert indicating that the government may order evacuations in seventeen counties at high risk of flooding due to the ongoing long rains.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kindiki emphasized the potential for flooding and the need to prioritize public safety. He specifically highlighted concerns regarding the filling of the Seven-Forks Hydro-electric Power Dams, noting that Masinga Dam was already spilling. He cautioned that further precipitation could result in cascading spillovers into other dams, increasing flooding risks downstream.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary identified several areas at high risk, including Garrisa, Tana Delta, and Lamu, along with regions along rivers and lakes in Western Kenya. Additionally, low-lying and hilly areas in various counties, as well as urban areas with inadequate drainage systems, are susceptible to flooding.
Kindiki underscored the vulnerability of low-lying areas in Narok, Kajiado, and Mombasa, as well as hilly areas prone to mudslides, such as Makueni, Nyeri, Murang’a, and West Pokot Counties. Counties like Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, and Kisumu, along with Migori, Kakamega, and Vihiga, are also at risk.
To address these concerns, Kindiki assured that the government has activated the Multi-Agency Disaster Management Team to coordinate response efforts and ensure effective disaster management measures are implemented.
