Kenya Red Cross and the County Government of Nandi have identified water and environment as key areas of partnership in the strategy towards mitigating the effects of climate change that negatively impacts locals and the neighbouring counties.
High level KRCS team led by its Secretary General Dr. Idris Ahmed and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang agreed that a well-managed environment and water was key in Nandi as its position determines rain distribution in the region.
Flooding in Nyando and Kisumu areas for instance was linked to huge emptying of the Nandi rivers during seasonal rains and identified areas of potential partnership.
“We are all aware of the flooding that is experienced in Nyando and Kisumu areas is courtesy of the rains and the huge emptying of the rivers from Nandi County rivers,” Sang told the journalists after signing a Memorandum of Understanding on various identified areas between Nandi County Government and KRCS at Eliud Kipchoge Complex Stadium.
Governor Sang revealed mitigation efforts that if undertaken within Nandi County will reduce the amount of water flowing through Nandi rivers that end up flooding the entire Nyando and Kisumu areas.
He said they had agreed with KRCS on safeguarding ecologically sensitive areas and define ways of managing siltation in rivers as a way of managing flooding caused by rivers.
“We have agreed on safeguarding ecologically sensitive areas dealing with measures to manage siltation in our rivers so that we can be able to manage flooding in our rivers,” Sang hinted.
According to the Governor, Nandi escarpment, long known to be prone to mudslides and landslides, featured in the discussions on how conservation measures can be undertaken to prevent such a crisis.
He said the signed MoU emphasizes support of the farmers in terms of agricultural practices so that they can engage in environmentally sensitive farming.
Sang said KRCS had agreed to work with Nandi County Government on how they can strengthen health facilities along the highways for the purposes of responding to the victims of road accidents with key emphasis on building the capacity of Nandi Hills, Mosoriot and Kapsabet hospitals.
He revealed plans to organise a joint medical camp by KRCS and Nandi County Government to sensitise residents on Social Health Authority enlisting together with building the capacity of community health promoters to be able to deliver their mandate with regard to shifting attention from curative to preventive medical health.
Further the engagement dwelled on the county’s disaster management, response and mitigation particularly in building the capacity of county disaster teams.
“We have also agreed KRCS will establish a regional disaster response office that will not only serve Nandi but neighbouring regional counties of Vihiga, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu and Kericho,” he added.
He said they agreed on finalizing documentation of giving out KRCS land that was promised two years ago for them to establish a regional office.
Ahmed noted that KRCS as it marks sixty years of serving humanity hailed the County Government of Nandi for agreeing to host their regional office.
He said KRCS was committed to inform the locals about their mandate by working closely with the 47 County Governments.
By Geoffrey Satia
