Report asks counties to own up weather disasters as weatherman warns of destructive rains.

County Governments have been advised to use technology to create awareness and ensure that loss of lives and property due to floods and mudslides were brought to an end.

This comes as the Kenya Meteorological Department warns of more heavy rainfall in several parts of the country that could lead to disasters such as floods, landslides and mudslides.

A report by the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) recently released warns of more disasters unless proper control measures were put in place.

The report reveals that over 164 persons lost their lives in western part of Kenya with over 40,000 locals being displaced by floods in March last year.

During the period also, 15 persons were killed and 4000 persons were displaced following mudslides triggered by heavy rainfall in West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

In Alego Usonga Sub County in Siaya, over 1800 families have been displaced by floods. Houses as well as roads, bridges, railway lines and other infrastructure have also been destroyed by floods and mudslides in many incidences.

In the report, the experts warned that more damages were yet to come unless proper mitigation measures were put in place by the county governments.

The committee said the county governments should use technology such as mobile phone updates through SMS and other services to sensitize people on environmental protection and to issue warnings on impending floods.

The report on environmental and socio-economic effects of flooding and landslides in Kenya also recommends that the devolved units should warn people about human activities that were causing increased cases of destructive floods.

The committee report said all the 47 counties should invest in early warning systems, implement sound land use, conduct a regular risk assessment in flood prone areas and share data with stakeholders. It also advocates for the environmental restoration of affected areas and provision and regular servicing of flood infrastructure in all the devolved units.

While citing the report, NECC secretary Dr John Chumo said Kenya should learn from the previous disasters and take the warnings seriously.

“Some of the past significant floods in the last 20 years include the 1997/98 El Niño which caused massive loss of lives and property. In 2003, Kenya again experienced massive flooding that affected over 60,000 people; many were displaced and had to be moved into camps and provided with relief food,” Dr Chumo recalled.
He also recalled 2006 when a widespread flooding displaced over 3,500 and killed at least 7 people.

Chumo said county governments should work with locals to ensure that preventive measures were put in place to avoid sad incidences.
“Wanton clearance of vegetation leaves the land bare and thus prone to flooding. People should be taught the benefit of planting trees and should be provided with seedlings. Those living in the areas prone to landslides and floods should be relocated,” Chumo advised.

He added, “County Governments and county administration should get involved in carrying out risk mapping and assessment through monitoring the situation in areas that have potential risks of flooding and landslides to avert impending disasters.”

He recommended that counties should construct dykes, gabions and terraces to reduce incidences.

The study was done in 16 counties considered to be prone to flooding and landslides. The areas included Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho and Bomet counties in the Rift Valley region.

Mandera, Garissa and Tana River Counties in the North Eastern region and Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga in Western region were also studies. In the coastal region, Kilifi was investigated while in the central region, Nyeri, Meru, and Muranga were considered.