Nairobi, Kenya, Sep 28 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the county governments to build artificial waterways to reduce surface run-off risk of flooding during the El-Nino rains.
Speaking during the El-Nino impact mitigation strategic meeting on Thursday, Gachagua particularly urged Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru to give priority to cleaning and unclogging of drainage networks.
“We also recognize that with the expansion of our towns, we have not matched drainage systems as required. As a matter of urgency, we request Counties to prepare artificial waterways,” he said.
“This will reduce surface run-off and risk of flooding, more so, in residential areas.”
Gachagua said the National government administration teams are ready to work with Counties to prevent spillage or surface run-off.
He urged the counties to work together with the national government both technically and financially to ensure lives are saved and no property is lost due to floods.
“El Nino is beyond County governments, the National government and our partners. That is why we must work together by leveraging our diverse capacities in technical and financial resources,” he said.
The DP called on Kenyans who are living in low lying and flood prone areas to move to higher grounds to avert loss of lives and property.
He appealed to Kenyans to be proactive in reporting cases of emergency through officials and other channels that would be making public.
“I wish to start by assuring you that a lot has been going on in the background, in preparation of the expected abnormal rains,” he said.
“It is very important for us, Kenyans, to take measures to reduce the negative impact of these rains.”
Gachagua also urged farmers, especially those with grains to harvest and store their produce early.
He said this will minimize agricultural losses.
On May 16, the Kenya Meteorological Department issued an update saying El Nino is expected to occur during the October to December long rains season.
