Garissa and Tana River floods likely to worsen, CS Murkomen says

Murkomen says Masinga dam is almost full to capacity, a situation that is likely to affect more families in the two counties that have been severely impacted by floods.

Speaking while inspecting the aftermath of floods in Kilifi along the busy Mombasa-Malindi road, where Mbogolo bridge was swept away, Murkomen warned drivers against crossing the swollen waters and that action will be taken against them including withdrawal of their licenses and charged with attempted suicide. 

According to the CS, half of the deaths reported are a result of negligence by the drivers.

This comes after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linked a number of deaths occasioned by the ongoing El Nino floods to what he termed as recklessness.

While censuring Kenyans over their ignorance and impatience when they encounter flooded areas, DP Gachagua said that 37 out of a reported 87 fatalities were a result of individuals' daring nature.

“Out of the 87 deaths that have occurred due to El Nino, 37 of them are by drowning. Not floods getting into your house, but you going to where the floods are and daring nature,” he said in Kwale County on Tuesday.

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed has announced that the Cabinet, after an emergency meeting chaired by President William Ruto, came up with several interventions to help mitigate the effects of the El Nino.

He noted that the government has allocated Ksh.7 billion to address the effects of the rains.

Part of the money, Mohamed said, is meant for dairy farmers as the government moves to buy excess milk.

"The resources committed will be applied for humanitarian response including distribution and supply of medical commodities, food and non-food items, rehabilitation of infrastructure and resettlement of displaced families," said Mohamed.

"To support farmers who have been adversely affected, the government has dispersed Ksh.500 million to New KCC to mop up excess milk during this rainy season," he said.

The State House spokesperson went on to add that the government has also airlifted medical supplies worth Ksh.180 million through the KDF and in conjunction with Wajir county government.

Meanwhile, an ad-hoc Cabinet committee has been set up on disaster response chaired by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The nationwide floods have claimed lives, displaced families and destroyed property.