A multi-agency team will address the frequent flooding incidents in Mavoko, Machakos County.
The resolution was reached after officials from both the national and Machakos County governments conducted a fact-finding tour of Syokimau, Mlolongo and Sabaki estates to establish the causes of the rampant flooding in the area.
During the tour, the officials established that the flooding was caused by several human activities along rivers and waterways.
The activities, according to the officials, include encroachment of riparian land, blockage of waterways, diversion of rivers and erection of structures on riparian land.
The officials included the county’s Water and Environment CECM Onesmus Kuyu, Finance CECM Catherine Mutanu, Devolution CECM Annastacia Munyaka, Chief of Staff Lawrence Ngovi, Roads and Transport Chief Officer Mike Jace Senga, Mlolongo Assistant County Commissioner Amos Punden and acting chief officer Soul Mwasya.
The fact-finding tour was prompted by flooding incidents that caused damage to property belonging to residents in homes and apartments in Syokimau, Mlolongo and Sabaki estates following a heavy downpour on Thursday evening.
Speaking after the tour, Kuyu said the flooding was caused by what he termed historical compounded issues arising from the encroachment of riparian land, among other activities along waterways.
“We are addressing three issues: storm water management, unclogging of drainages and encroachment of waterways as a multi-agency team drawn from both the county and national governments,” Kuyu said.
He said they would undertake various exercises aimed at reclaiming riparian land and waterways. The team observed that sections of rivers and riparian areas had been blocked, with houses and perimeter walls constructed on them.
Kuyu said the flooding was a result of what he termed illegal activities in the areas. “It is as a result of illegal activities that these areas have been experiencing flooding challenges whenever there is downpour. So, whatever action needs to be done will be effected,” Kuyu said.
He said they would not allow artificial problems to affect the majority of Machakos County residents. “We are swinging into action on Monday. We are not going to take any hostages. We must come in and save our people,” he said.
Kuyu said the team would involve all relevant stakeholders in clearing waterways and riparian land.
“Residents' Associations will also be involved. We will do it in a professional way. We will study the existing survey maps. The encroachment didn’t start recently. It has been a systemic problem. We must have a cut-off from today going forward. We are not sorting the future but legacy,” Kuyu said.
Ngovi called on residents who had erected structures, including houses and perimeter walls along waterways and riparian land, to remove them before they are cleared by the authorities.
“Let’s not force anybody, just move out. When we come, we will bill you. Kindly move out of waterways so that all can be safe,” Ngovi said.
Mlolongo Assistant County Commissioner Amos Punden affirmed that the multi-agency team would reclaim riparian land.
“It’s an ongoing process. We started at Githunguri area in Muthwani. We are taking back the riparian land. We are now moving to Sabaki River,” Punden said.
“The multi-agency team has planned to meet and roll out activities about safeguarding this river. What we are doing here is legal,” Punden said.
Punden cited the Water Act, 2016, section 53. “We will give the county government support to ensure that we protect Sabaki River,” he said.
The Syokimau Mwananchi Road Residents Association chairman, Francis Alwodo, confirmed that some members had encroached on riparian land and diverted a river.
“Yesterday, we had serious flooding. With the help of the governor, we hope they will open waterways and ensure no more flooding,” Alwodo said.
He urged members to avoid building houses and erecting structures on waterways.
“You are hurting people, investments and lives because during emergencies, no one can be taken to hospital. We request both national and the county government to step in and open waterways to help people live in normal ways without being affected by rains,” Alwodo said.
Lucy Waithaka, also a resident of Syokimau, said some houses get submerged by floods due to human activities whenever it rains heavily.
“People are forced to move to upper floors of their maisonettes whenever there is heavy downpour after first floors are filled with water. We need to do the needful to save the majority of the people,” Waithaka said.
Sabaki Residents Association chairman Japheth Nyambane said they support action points agreed with government officials to clear riparian land, which he said is the main cause of flooding in Syokimau, Mlolongo and Sabaki areas, to avoid future disasters.
“I urge the county government to deal with this issue conclusively so that we don’t have to spend a whole day, next month or in future dealing with the same thing,” Nyambane said.
