Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has completed the construction of 910 houses for victims of last year’s floods in Magarini Sub County.
Speaking to the press yesterday in Malindi, North Coast KRCS coordinator, Hassan Musa, said that out of the 970 houses that were set to be built, already 910 have been completed and added that the displaced families have already moved in.
Musa said, “Displacement of people due to floods in Magarini might not be experienced this year since a large number of people that were living in lowland areas have moved to higher places where the houses were constructed.”
He also said in partnership with the county government of Kilifi, Kenya Red Cross Society has also distributed water to over 80,000 people in Ganze sub-County at a cost of Sh170 million.
Meanwhile Kaya elders in Magarini Sub County have called on the government to support the protection and conservation of Kaya forests in the coast region.
Led by the Mijikenda Kaya Elders Association chairman Mwinyi Mwalimu, the elders said “Kaya elders alone on their own cannot protect the forests from encroachment by timber loggers and charcoal burners.”
Mwinyi added that most Kaya forests in the region which are teaming with rare plants and bird species are on the verge of extinction due to encroachment and invasion.
He identified Kaya Shungwaya in Magarini Sub County that has been most affected and had been abandoned by elders due to threats from illegal loggers and charcoal burners.
He called on the security agencies and the Kenya Forest Service to respond to their plea so that they can salvage their heritage and prayer shrines which also attract rainfall in the area.
By Dorothy Makori and Simon Guruba
