We are not to blame for floods in Garissa and Tana River- KenGen

 Majority of  Tana River and Garissa county residents face forceful eviction from the government as they are yet to move to higher grounds(Courtesy)

By Kevin Kyalo

GARISSA—Tana River and Garissa county residents now face forceful eviction from the government after failing to move from flood prone areas.

Majority of the locals in these counties are yet to move to higher grounds despite warning that the Masinga dam is likely to overflow.

Garissa County Kenya Red Cross coordinator Tusmo Ogle said that the government and the Red Cross have made adequate efforts to warn residents in areas surrounding River Tana.

“We appeal to residents to heed warning of the floods and move to safer grounds. We also request for assistance from all stakeholders so we can evacuate residents,” said Ms Ogle.

The most affected areas are Windsor and Bula Sheikh in Garissa town, Hola, Bura and Garsen in Tana River County.

The heavy rains have resulted in a drastic rise of dam levels that has seen Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere dams rise to their spillage levels.

Last month hundreds of families located at the bank of River Tana were displaced and their farms destroyed.

Farmers Federation vice chair Dubat Amey blamed The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) for failing to notify farmers located downstream whom their farms were ravaged by the excess spilling water.

KenGen has however defended itself against accusations of deliberately releasing water from the Seven Forks dams.

Speaking in Laza Tana River County, Corporate affairs manager Grace Chepkwony said the company was not to blame for the flooding in Garissa and Tana River counties as claimed.

“KenGen only alerted residents of an imminent rise in water levels when it became apparent that the dam could spill over due to heavy rains.” Chepkwony noted.

She further explained that the dams do not have gates to be opened and closed at will, claiming the notion on the dams’ operations was misconceived.