The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed property owners and managers to take into consideration heavy rainwater receptor areas in places of previously unforeseen consequences.
It has also directed County Governments to clear storm drains of any materials such as illegal structures and market waste that hinder free flow of storm water and receiving flowing water bodies.
According to the authority, the move is essential because of changes in vulnerability of low and high-risk areas as a result of heavy rainfall.
In a statement, Nema asked licensed developers with potential negative impacts to people, property and environment, to adhere to their license conditions irrespective of any improvement orders.
Additionally, NEMA has directed licensed project owners and operators to be keen about emergence procedures, accident prevention and response, incident reports and Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes.
“These sites include but are not limited to water dams, large water bodies, quarries, mining sites, roads, construction facilities and waste management sites.
“Others include environmentally significant areas, urban informal settlements near wetlands and riparian areas. The full list can be obtained from Schedules 2 in Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations 2003 (Amended in 2015),” noted the statement.
Also Read: LIVE UPDATES: 10 People Swept Away by Floods While Crossing River
Govt Issues Further Instructions to Companies
On the other hand, companies that also fall under Extended Producer Responsibility were directed to minimize release of waste and wastewater discharges. NEMA explained that this was to safeguard the environment because the waste can cause blockage of waterways.
“Companies that also fall under Extended Producer Responsibility regulations to ensure that during this period of flooding events minimize release of waste and wastewater discharges with potential to clog waterways to safeguard the environment and public health.
“This is in regard to emergence procedures, accident prevention and response, incident reports and Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes,” added NEMA.
At the same time, Kenyans were advised to stay away from flooded areas and move to higher grounds.
“The public is also advised to keep off flooded sites, move to higher grounds and follow advisories from relevant regulatory authorities in regard to risky, ecologically sensitive sites and work with disaster risk reduction entities to avert disasters,” NEMA noted.
Also Read: Pastor Dorcas Leads Prayers for Floods & Accidents
Floods Crisis in the Country
The death toll of the raging floods in the country shot to over 60 by Thursday, April 25, evening, as heavy rains continued to pound different areas in the country.
The death toll from the floods in Mathare River, the hardest-hit area in Nairobi, had risen to 14 after four more bodies were recovered. Authorities revealed that all the four victims were members of the same family.
Moreover,10 people were reported to have been swept away while crossing flooded Muswii River in Makueni County on Friday, April 26. According to the Kenya Red Cross, the victims were in a lorry which was ferrying locals across the river.
