Kenya Steps Up Flood Prevention Efforts To Curb Havoc

By Samuel Ouma

In conjunction with the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) and humanitarian organizations, the Kenyan government has resorted to providing urgent assistance to communities and families affected in flood-prone Counties.

The East African nation has activated disaster response and security teams, which have been mandated to identify locations likely to be affected by floods through aerial and ground surveillance.

Teams from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya National Police Service, and Kenya Defence Forces are also on the lookout for ways to save lives in the areas hit by flooding.

According to the Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the rescue teams will also aid in distributing food and non-food items to the affected communities and those in evacuation centres in flood-hit Counties.

“Temporary shelters (i.e. tents) for the displaced persons in the evacuation centres, mostly schools and social halls, where available, will also be provided,” said Kithure Kindiki.

Key roads and bridges that serve as vital transportation and communication links in flood-prone counties are also being watched, and reports on their usefulness are being supplied.

Those living in the flood-prone areas have been urged to vacate their homes and move to higher grounds.

The floods have been occasioned by heavy rains that have been pounding the different parts of the country in the last one month.

On August 30, 2023, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) issued a weather forecast for October to December 2023, anticipating severe rainfall in most parts of the nation.