Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued a fresh directive on evacuations as the country continues to grapple with the effects of heavy rains that have left a trail of destruction and loss of lives.
CS Kindiki in a statement on Thursday May 2, 2024, warned that 178 dams and water reservoirs have filled up which poses a risk for those living near them.
“One hundred and seventy-eight (178) Dams and Water reservoirs situated on Public and Private land in thirty-three (33) Counties have filled up or are nearly filled up and may spill over any time, posing a high risk to persons living in their neighborhood,” read part of the statement.
In regard to the risk, the CS ordered all Kenyans who may be near the dams to vacate within a 24-hour period effective from late Thursday.
“All persons residing contiguous to the dams and water reservoirs are ordered to vacate the said areas immediately and, in any case, within 24 Hours effective today, failing which they will be subjected to mandatory evacuation for their safety,”Kindiki added.
Kindiki Order
In addition, all persons residing within the 30-Metre riparian corridor of rivers and other water courses across the country were ordered to vacate immediately for their safety and settlements unlawfully established on riparian land removed.
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According to CS Kindiki, the Government has put in place adequate measures to provide temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies to all those that will be affected by the vacation and evacuation orders.
The Interior CS further noted that the mandatory evacuation of affected persons shall be carried out strictly during the day.
“Mandatory evacuation of affected persons shall be carried out strictly between 0600 hours and 1830 hours, and for the avoidance of doubt, no mandatory evacuation shall be carried out at night,” added Kindiki.
Following the directive, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) were also ordered to work with County Governments, Humanitarian Organizations and other stakeholders in the evacuation process.
They are to ensure that the process of notification, vacation and mandatory evacuation, as well as provision of temporary shelter, food and non-food essential supplies is carried out in a timely, humane and effective way.
The directive by CS Kindiki came days after President William Ruto on April 30, 2024, ordered all Kenyans living within areas prone to the effects of the heavy rains being witnessed in various places to vacate.
Ruto warning
Ruto was speaking in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County where he visited families affected by mudslides when he directed those living within the areas labelled as fragile ecosystems to move out within a period of 48 hours.
The areas in the category included all areas that are known to be prone to floods, mudslides, landslides, and those along riparian lands.
“There are areas like here we are urging all Kenyans living in such areas to evacuate from those areas in time because the forecast is that rain will be continuing in the future. We have decided as a government where there is risk of floods and landslides from tomorrow all residents should move. We must take action and make sure that the lives of Kenyans are safe,” said Ruto.
The government has also warned that the coastal region is set to experience Cyclone Hidaya, which will result in heavy rainfall, strong winds and large waves that could affect marine activities in the Indian Ocean.
President Ruto who chaired a second Cabinet meeting to deliberate on extra measures to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding across the country said the coastal region is likely to experience the cyclone which may also result to mudslides and landslides.
According to the weatherman forecast, average to above average rains will continue in all parts of the country with flooding in low-lying areas for the next three months.
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