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Kenya

Narok’s rush to improve drainage

In Summary

  • The business community expressed fears over the predicted heavy rains and want measures taken by relevant authorities to avert death and destruction of property.

  • Mr Tunai said officers from the national water office under the irrigation ministry were mapping out flood-prone areas and making estimates of emergency money required.

  • When he toured the county on Tuesday, Deputy President William Ruto said the government would deploy 70,000 National Youth Service men and women to all areas prone to flooding to help in mitigating the effects of the floods.

By GEORGE SAYAGIE

The Narok County Government is in a last minute rush to build new and improve existing drainage ahead of El Niño rains expected any day.

Machines have been deployed to expand the main drainage known by locals as Noosamburumburr stream in Narok Town, where 15 lives were lost in April when floods hit the area.

The town, which is located in a basin-like terrain, has experienced deadly flash floods each time it has rained heavily since 1992.

The business community expressed fears over the predicted heavy rains and want measures taken by relevant authorities to avert death and destruction of property.

Narok Central Business Association Chairman David ole Sankok said the county incurred massive losses in amounting to millions of shillings during the floods.

“Traders lost millions in terms of property, from shops, eateries, vehicles and buildings that were swept by floods, many are worried about what El Niño will bring,’ said Dr Sankok.

However, as far as preparations by the county government are concerned, Mr Mohammed Kimanthi and Ms Mercy Njeri, who operate businesses in the town centre, said the devolved unit had not done enough to protect residents from the floods.

The town is slowly trying to get back on its feet after the floods, while those who lost loved ones are still trying to come to terms with their losses.

But, the county government yesterday announced that it has set aside Sh200 million to complete five flood check dams and five water pans on the outskirts of Narok town as the flood-prone county prepares for the heavy rains.

Governor Samuel Tunai said the dams and water pans would hold back about 80 per cent of the storm water.

The governor added that existing flood paths through the town were also being unclogged to ease the flow.

“Work on reinforcing the huge trenches with concrete is ongoing and we welcome the national government to deploy the NYS service men in the town to assist in these efforts,’ said Mr Tunai.

The town’s drainage system, particularly along the town’s main road, has also been redone.

Mr Tunai said officers from the national water office under the irrigation ministry were mapping out flood-prone areas and making estimates of emergency money required.

“We are committed to ensuring that residents do not suffer or die like in the last rainy season,” he said

When he toured the county on Tuesday, Deputy President William Ruto said the government would deploy 70,000 National Youth Service men and women to all areas prone to flooding to help in mitigating the effects of the floods.

Mr Ruto who was accompanied by Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and National Water chairman Julius Kones, said the government had strategies of dealing with El Niño in place and urged people to move out of high-risk areas.