Floods in Kenya have killed more people than Covid-19 but nobody is talking about it. The death toll as a result of floods in the last 3 weeks has hit 194.
According to Cabinet Secretary for Interior Fred Matiang’i, the Government is planning to forcibly move those living in flood-prone areas to safer grounds to avoid any further tragedy.
“We are not waiting for people to be swept downstream. We are removing people using public resources to ensure they are away from danger, “said CS Matiang’i.
“We are moving them by force. We have instructed county commissioners in affected areas to move them even if it means putting them on Lorries and getting them out of there,” he added.
The met department has also warned that the country should expect more rains which will be accompanied by floods thus urging people to be extra cautious especially those living around risky areas.
The areas marked as risky are; are Garissa, Tana Riva County, Some parts of the Western region, the Rift Valley regions, and areas near rivers and dams.
Masinga and Turkwel dams have already reached a risky level and if the rains continue, they are likely to overflow and sweep those living in the surroundings.
According to CS devolution, Eugene Wamalwa, those living in affected areas should move to nearby schools where the government will give them the necessary help.
In Turkana County, a G4S lorry was swept away as the driver tried to cross a bridge. The driver of the lorry and the rest survived after they swam out of the lorry to safer grounds.
However, the Turkana County commissioner Muthama Wambua, warned that drivers who will be caught trying to cross flooded roads will be arrested and charged for attempted suicide.
“We can’t continue losing lives due to careless and impatient drivers. On Sunday a car was swept away and all two occupants killed. Any driver rescued after his vehicle will be charged for attempting suicide.”