The National government has plans to develop a flood mitigation framework following the negative effects of flooding in most parts of the country.
Speaking to KNA during a forum to assess the impact on floods on various sectors of the economy in Busia County, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Interior Gordon Muga said the move was initiated by the heavy rainfall that not only caused destruction but also loss of
lives in many counties within the country.
‘The government had started this process earlier but due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this was not possible because of the lockdown that was experienced in the country,’ he said.
Muga noted that now that the majority of officers are back to their stations, the government has embarked on the process again so that it can be completed and recommendations made for flood mitigation for the country.
‘This team that is visiting Budalangi is part of the circuit that was covering Turkana, Busia as a County, Kisumu and Migori,’ he said adding that another team is looking at the circuit of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Nakuru.
He added that the third team is covering Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi County and Garissa County because of the flash floods due to climate change.
‘We are trying to come up with sectorial specific requirements at a County consolidated report on the adverse effects of the floods and see which mitigation mechanisms can be put in place not only for now but for mid-term and long term interventions,’’ he said.
The official disclosed that different sectorial teams will tabulate the effects of the floods in their areas after which a smaller team will be called to a validation workshop in Nairobi to verify and correct the already given information.
‘When the framework is finalised, it will be launched, reports will be distributed to different counties,’ he said adding that the report will inform budgetary allocation alongside being used for resource mobilisation from development partners.
Muga stated the National flood mitigation should be finalised by the end of this month.
The forum brought together officers from both County, National Government and the Kenya Red Cross Society with a view to compile reports on the magnitude of the effects of floods on various sectors of the economy including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, water, energy among others.
By Salome Alwanda
