Residents living in Ruiru, downstream of Kijabe have been gripped with fears amid concerns that more water will accumulate near the railway tunnel.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, May 7 while touring the area said the water levels have slightly subsided and that more rains rain would present a challenge to the infrastructure in the area.
The CS directed residents living in the area to vacate following reports of structural vulnerabilities in other tunnels that are part of the railway infrastructure.
He stated that the government has also directed urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avert loss of life in the area.
“Following reported structural vulnerabilities of other tunnels forming part of the Railway infrastructure in the Kijabe area, the Government has directed urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avert loss of life in the area as was the case last week,” the CS said in a statement.
“In the meantime, the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) is directed to evacuate all persons whose residences are likely to be on the path of downstream storm water in the event of drainage system burst.”
He also noted that 86 families have moved to safer areas designated by the government as directed to avoid any other catastrophe.
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Kindiki Issues Directive on Water Accumulating in Kijabe
Kindike further assured members of the public affected by the directive that the government will help them find temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their habitual residences.
He issued a warning to those who are yet to move as directed by the government saying they will be evacuated for their safety.
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According to the CS, members of the public affected by this directive will be assisted in finding temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their habitual residences.
The security officials also discovered that several infrastructural projects such as the Kijabe bridge and Railway line had already been destroyed and required immediate re-installation to facilitate movements.
As of Tuesday, the death toll from the ravaging floods experienced in different parts of the country have risen to 238.
According to the Ministry of Interior, 75 other people are still missing, while 174 people have been reported injured.
On the other hand, 223,000 people across the country had been impacted by the effects of the heavy floods.
Floods Victims to Receive Ksh. 10,000 for Rent
On May 6, President William Ruto announced that families evicted by the government due to floods will receive Ksh10,000 each.
Speaking in Mathare, Ruto said the families will use the funds to seek alternative houses for the next three months as the government looks for a permanent solution.
“Every household that has been displaced in Nairobi County will be paid Ksh10,000 so that they find alternative accommodation so that we can plan for their future as a government so that every Kenyan can have a place to call home,” Ruto said.
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