Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama Adam has urged the National Government to implement a permanent solution to mitigate the recurring flooding caused by the swelling of River Tana.
He proposes diverting some of the river’s waters to arid regions to prevent the devastating floods that have plagued Garissa and Tana River counties.
River Tana, originating from the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, flows eastward through Garissa and Tana River counties before emptying into the Indian Ocean.
During heavy rainfall in upstream counties, the river’s water levels rise significantly, leading to overflows that inundate surrounding areas.
The impact of these floods has been severe. In May 2024, approximately 32,000 people (6,400 families) in Garissa County were displaced due to the overflow of River Tana.
The displaced individuals were accommodated in 12 camps established by the Kenya Red Cross Society. Additionally, concerns were raised about the health and nutritional well-being of children in the county, with data indicating that about 18.3% were at risk of malnutrition.Â
Similarly, Tana River County experienced significant hardships. As of May 2024, more than 69,000 people were affected by floods, leading to widespread displacement and destruction of property.
These recurring floods have devastated local farmers, with thousands losing their crops and livelihoods over the past two years.
The destruction of farmland and the displacement of communities have underscored the urgent need for a sustainable solution to manage the waters of River Tana effectively.
Governor Adam emphasizes that diverting the river’s waters to drier areas could serve a dual purpose: mitigating flood risks in vulnerable regions and providing much-needed water resources to arid zones, thereby supporting agriculture and livelihoods.
He calls upon the National Government to prioritize this initiative to protect residents and promote sustainable development in the affected counties.
