The Ministry of Interior has warned residents living near the Kiambere dam to evacuate immediately due to fears of an overflow.
On Friday, May 16, the Interior Ministry issued a strong advisory for people in four key locations downstream of the dam to move to safer ground. These areas include Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and the lower Tana River valley.
The situation has been worsened by heavy rainfall in the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare basin, which is increasing the risk of flooding.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said that the evacuation is voluntary, but stressed that the danger is serious and people should act quickly.
PS Omollo explained that people living close to the dam’s spillway zones and near the riverbanks are most at risk. He particularly mentioned Garissa and Tana River counties as areas where the danger is high.
Omollo urged residents in these areas not to wait and to move to higher ground immediately to avoid disaster. This warning follows a recent weather forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department, which predicted heavy rains that could lead to flooding. The department is keeping a close watch on the water levels and flow into the main dams in the region including Kiambere, Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma.
To manage the emergency, the government has put in place several response measures. Teams from the National Disaster Operations Centre, private sector, and local Disaster Response Committees are already working together to organize evacuations.
Rescue support is also being prepared, with the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Kenya Coast Guard Service on standby to help any affected families. Omollo said that the private sector is playing a role too, especially in handling controlled release of water from the dams to protect the dam structures from damage.
All available resources are being used to prevent loss of life. The Interior Ministry is working closely with local government officials to locate temporary shelter options for evacuees.
Some of the safe areas identified include public schools, churches, and government buildings. In addition, public health officials have been sent out to provide humanitarian assistance and help families find clean, safe places to stay.
The focus now is on getting people to safety as quickly as possible and providing them with the support they need until the danger has passed.
The government continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates to ensure everyone stays informed and protected.
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