The Government has stepped up preparations to protect communities and farms in flood-prone areas as the country braces for heavy rains, Principal Secretary for East Africa Affairs and Regional Development Caroline Wanjiru Karugu has said.
Karugu said the authority has already constructed 10 kilometres of dykes and will in the next two weeks launch construction of additional sections aimed at protecting communities and farms from flooding.
She said the government was particularly concerned about areas around the Nyando River basin, which are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
“We are aware of the threats that come with flooding in the Ahero Nyando areas. The Lake Basin Development Authority is planning for this eventuality,” Karugu said.
She said an additional three kilometres of dykes will be launched as part of efforts to prevent flooding from destroying homes, lives and crops.
Karugu spoke during a visit to projects being implemented by the Lake Basin Development Authority.
She urged residents living around river basins and other flood-prone areas to work closely with chiefs and county commissioners’ offices to identify areas at risk and prepare for possible displacement.
The PS said preparedness should also extend to food security, urging households to take advantage of the current season to dry and store food in anticipation of disruptions that could be caused by flooding.
“We also need to sensitise them about drying food and taking advantage of the season to dry and store food for that eventuality,” she said.
Karugu said flood preparedness was a joint responsibility between the national and county governments, with coordination needed to ensure communities receive early information and support.
The government is also encouraging communities to embrace tree growing as part of measures to address environmental degradation and climate-related risks.
Karugu said the Lake Basin Development Authority, working with other government agencies, would distribute more than 20,000 fruit tree seedlings to communities in the region.
She said the focus on fruit trees was intended to give farmers an additional economic incentive to care for the seedlings.
The PS said the interventions were part of broader government efforts to protect communities, safeguard livelihoods and strengthen resilience to climate-related shocks.
