Waiguru deploys additional machinery to drain areas marooned by floods as multi-agency disaster committee is formed
County Government of Kirinyaga has deployed additional machinery and manpower to drain water from areas marooned by floods.
The machinery has been deployed in areas prone to flooding, mudslides and landslide in Tebere, Thiba, Wamumu, Gathigiriri, Mutithi, Kariti, Kangai and Nyangati wards.
The machinery which includes excavators, backhoes and trucks are being used to clear soils and debris that have blocked drainage trenches and culverts. The county is also excavating additional trenches to drain water from flooded area.
The team has already completed digging drainage trenches at Mutithi town, Ngothi, Unit 8, Whiterose, Riandira, Maisha Kamili, Kithogondo, Kiamanyeki, Red Soil, Thiba, Kiorugari, Sagana town, Kangai and among others
At the same time, a joint disaster preparedness and response committee comprising of National and County Government officials has also been formed to coordinate response interventions to deal with floods and other emergencies arising from heavy rains in the County.
The team headed by Deputy Governor David Githanda and County Commissioner Hussein Allasow had its first meeting yesterday where residents were advised to move away from waterways and riparian land.
Githanda said the committee had agreed on measures to be undertaken to safeguard lives of people and properties including evacuation of people from flood and landslide prone areas.
The Deputy Governor said that the committee has mapped out areas affected by flooding and agreed on immediate interventions among them the ongoing excavation of trenches and desilting of canals to drain water.
On his part, Allasow said the flood situation in Kirinyaga is now under control thanks to quick response by the County Government.
He said County and National Government has supplied flood victims with food and other relief supplies to ensure no one suffers from hunger.
The Commissioner advised motorists not to drive through flooded areas and those living near waterways to avoid crossing swollen rivers.
“We have managed the situation and we are urging our people to be on high alert because we have been told by the weatherman that the rains might continue,” he said.
He said most of schools are safe and ready for re-opening on Monday except for one whose condition is being monitored.
Residents of areas affected by the floods said interventions being undertaken by the county government have helped in redirecting flood water back into the rivers and other water catmint areas.
On Thursday, Governor Anne Waiguru said she had activated all emergency disaster response mechanisms to deal with the floods as well as implement prompt response.
Waiguru further asked people living near Thiba Dam and areas downstream to remain alert because the water reservoir is filling up very quickly.
Waiguru however said some of the floods are being caused by people who have built on riparian land and others who are blocking drainage system.
“I want to ask those blocking waterways to move away because our county is experiencing excess rains with Mwea being worst hit,” she said.
Jared Migwi, the County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Roads, Public Works and Housing, who visited some of the flooded areas said the flood situation is being addressed by creating alternative routes for water to flow from homes.
“The County Government has deployed excavators to assist residents marooned by the floods by digging trenches to drain the water, so that residents can access their homes,” he said.
