EALA MP calls for comprehensive flood awareness campaign by National and county.

By Asal Media Reporter

The National and County governments have been challenged to launch comprehensive flood awareness campaigns to bolster community preparedness and education.

East Africa Legistlative Assembly [EALA] MP Falhada Iman Dekow regretted that despite the Kenya Meteorological Department issuing a warning of impending heavy rains which would be followed by floods, the information was not acted upon.

The last one week has seen heavy rains experienced in the region living a tray of destruction and deaths.

So far atleast 8 people have died.four in Mandera,two in Wajir and another two in Garissa through the raging floods.

In Garissa and Mandera the destruction and displacement is as result of river Tana and Dauwa busting its banks. Irrigated farmland have also been affected with farmers left counting loses.

“What makes this even sadder and painful is that the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a warning at the end of August about the heightened rainfall expected between October and December 2023. The weather man laid it out bare with brutal clarity, projecting floods, loss of life and livestock, crop destruction, and the displacement of people among the impending catastrophes,” she lamented.

“Fast forward to the present, and it’s nothing short of absurd that barely three months later, our counties are running around like headless chickens, as the skies open up precisely as predicted,” she said.

She hit out at counties for not doing enough in terms of preparedness.

“One might reasonably have expected, even hoped, that with the introduction of a county system of government, our level of preparedness would have matured significantly. Unfortunately and regrettably, it appears we are still fumbling in the dark, unsure of what to do,” she said.

She further called on the government to prioritize the establishment of flood-resistant infrastructure for the long term, capable of withstanding the heavy rainfall in flood-prone areas during El Niño seasons.

“Additionally, there should be a strong focus on reforestation and afforestation, particularly in regions where people reside on cliffs and hills to mitigate the risk of landslides,” she said.

On Sunday, Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno said that the government has put in place joint measures across the region to assist residents who are grappling with the Devastating Floods.

He said the joint effort will see partners and stakeholders work closely to coordinate resources and provide assistance to the affected communities.