Tag: el-nino-rains-news

Another Victim of El Niño Rains

David Mwina, a teacher at Muua Primary School in Makueni County, was swept away by floodwaters at River Muua on Sunday, November 27, according to Mukaa Sub-county Police Commander Barnabas Ngeno.

Mr. Mwina was reportedly crossing towards home, from Mang’ala shopping centre to Kwa Mbeu village when he drowned. His body was found on the shores of the river and taken to Sultan Hamud sub-county hospital mortuary.

Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu, a colleague of Mr. Mwina in the National Assembly, has condoled the family.

“My sincere condolences to the Nzambia family and Kilome people. May you find God’s favour during this hard time,” he said.

This comes days after another swollen river claimed the lives of eight people who were attempting to cross the swollen Muooni River in Makueni County.

The victims are reported to be attendees returning from the 14th anniversary celebration of the Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

Makueni Governor Urges National Government to Declare El Niño a National Disaster

On Saturday November 25, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo junior urged the national government to intervene.

“The cabinet should now declare El Niño a National disaster and mechanisms be put in place to mitigate the effects. The framework we had proposed in the Senate in 2019 should also be considered by Parliament. We can longer continue denying the obvious,” he said.

President Ruto Chairs Special Cabinet Meeting on El Nino

On November 27, 2023, President William Ruto chaired a special Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, to address the ongoing El Niño situation and its impact on Kenya.

The meeting was convened in response to the heavy rains and flooding that have caused significant challenges in various parts of the country, with over 70 lives lost and over 36,000 households displaced.

President Ruto expressed concern about the situation and emphasized the need for both short and long-term measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño.

The Cabinet resolved to:

• Intensify the ongoing distribution of relief food and non-food items to affected communities.
• Mobilize resources to support the relocation of affected families to safer areas.
• Work with relevant agencies to desilt clogged drainage systems and waterways.
• Enhance public awareness on the dangers of El Niño and safety measures to be taken during heavy rains.

The Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to develop a comprehensive plan to address the long-term effects of climate change.

An ongoing deluge of heavy rain has forced numerous families in Thika Constituency, Kiambu County, to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas. The unrelenting downpour has severely impacted the villages of Kisii, Kamenu, Kiganjo, and Muthaiga, where residents are enduring sleepless nights as their homes are inundated with floodwaters.

The dire situation has disrupted daily life in these villages, leaving residents to grapple with flooded neighborhoods, submerged homes, swamped roads, and extended power outages caused by the intense rainfall. Amidst the chaos, concerns are mounting over the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, as floodwaters are mixing with raw sewage, posing a significant threat to the health of residents, particularly children who are currently on their long December holiday.

Frustrated by the government’s apparent inaction, residents have expressed their anger over the lack of contingency measures implemented to address the recurring flooding issue. They point to the ineffective culverts installed by the authorities, which fail to adequately channel the heavy stormwater, leading to the overflow of waterways and subsequent flooding of their homes.

The residents’ concerns highlight the urgent need for the government to take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of flooding in Thika Constituency. By implementing effective drainage systems, constructing flood barriers, and providing necessary support to affected communities, the government can help alleviate the suffering caused by these recurrent floods and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, has announced that the government will begin relocating residents from flood-prone areas on October 9, 2023. This is part of a plan to mitigate the impact of the anticipated El Niño weather phenomenon.

Sakaja said that the Dandora area is one of the areas that will be affected by the relocation exercise. He added that a detailed list of all affected areas will be published in due course.

The governor noted that his administration is working with the National Government’s Interior Ministry and other stakeholders to map out hotspots and make preparations to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño rains.

Sakaja acknowledged that the relocation exercise is likely to face resistance, but he appealed to those who will be affected to cooperate, noting that the exercise will be done in a humane manner and in their own interest.

He also appealed to city residents to dispose of garbage and litter appropriately to avoid blocking drainage systems, which will only make matters worse when the rains come.

In an update on October 27, 2023, Nairobi Chief Officer for Disaster Management and Coordination, Bramwel Simiyu revealed that 436 areas had been mapped as potential flooding hotspots. The areas include Kibra, Mathare, Njiru, Ruai, and Mukuru.