The government has issued a high-alert evacuation directive for communities downstream of Kiambere Dam, citing imminent flood risks due to continuous heavy rainfall in the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas.
Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo confirmed that Kiambere Dam — the final reservoir in the Seven Forks hydropower system — has exceeded its full supply level, presenting an immediate danger to thousands living along the Lower Tana River basin.
“Residents in Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and the wider Tana River region must move to higher ground without delay,” Dr. Omollo stated, urging for voluntary but urgent evacuation. He added that the most at-risk populations reside near spillway zones in Garissa and Tana River counties.
Emergency response teams from KenGen, the National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Red Cross Society, and the Kenya Coast Guard Service have been deployed to support the evacuation and coordinate rescue efforts. Temporary shelters are being set up in schools, churches, and government facilities.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of continued rainfall through Tuesday, heightening concerns over more flooding across other dams in the cascade — including Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma.
KenGen has begun controlled spillage to protect dam infrastructure, while public health teams mobilise aid for displaced families.
As the nation braces for worsening conditions, the government is urging affected communities to prioritise safety and comply with directives — a move that may ultimately save lives.
