The government has issued an urgent evacuation directive for communities living downstream of the Kiambere Dam amid fears of imminent flooding following continuous heavy rains in the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas.
In a statement released Friday, Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo warned that the Kiambere Dam — the final and lowest reservoir in the Seven Forks hydropower cascade — has exceeded its full capacity, posing a significant threat to residents in the Lower Tana River Basin.
“Under the prevailing circumstances, we hereby issue an immediate voluntary evacuation directive to all communities living downstream of the multipurpose reservoir,” stated PS Omollo.
Communities in Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and other flood-prone areas within the Lower Tana River region are urged to move to higher ground without delay. The government has identified these areas as being at the greatest risk due to their proximity to the dam’s spillway zones.
Emergency response protocols have already been activated. Teams from KenGen, the National Disaster Operations Centre, local Disaster Response Committees, and humanitarian agencies such as the Kenya Red Cross Society and Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) are on high alert and coordinating evacuation and rescue efforts.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall from Friday through Tuesday, heightening concerns over possible flooding across the dam network — including Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma — which could further strain the Kiambere reservoir.
To manage the risk, KenGen has begun controlled water spillages to preserve the structural integrity of the dams. Meanwhile, local administrators (NGAOs) are setting up temporary shelters in schools, churches, and government facilities to accommodate displaced families.
Public health officials are also mobilizing humanitarian support, including food, medical care, and clean water, to assist affected households.
“The safety of every resident is our top priority,” emphasized Dr. Omollo. “We urge everyone in the at-risk zones to heed evacuation directives and cooperate fully with emergency teams.”
