NAIROBI—Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued a directive for a swift inspection of all dams and water reservoirs across the country, both public and private. This urgent review by County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) is to be completed within the next 24 hours, with a focus on identifying risks that may necessitate compulsory evacuations and temporary resettlements.
According to Kenya News Agency, this precautionary measure follows the catastrophic burst of the Old Kijabe dam, which triggered a deadly mudslide that has claimed 45 lives so far. “The government is deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction of public and private property occasioned by the ongoing floods,” said Kindiki in a statement.
The Cabinet Secretary also addressed other hazardous behaviors exacerbated by the floods, such as the disregard of weather forecasts and evacuation advisories by the public. He highlighted the dangerous practices by some individuals who exploit the situation by operating makeshift boats to transport stranded people for money, risking further lives.
Kindiki emphasized the enforcement of safety measures, instructing CSICs to deploy teams to monitor both urban and rural areas prone to flooding, particularly where water has compromised infrastructure. He warned that defying these safety directives could lead to arrests and charges of attempted suicide or murder depending on the circumstances.
Additionally, Kindiki ordered security forces to halt unsafe river crossings by unlicensed canoes and boats, and to apprehend those profiteering from these perilous conditions. “We have also ordered our security personnel to prevent the transportation of passengers across flooded rivers or storm waters by unsafe canoes or boats and arrest inexperienced and unscrupulous people taking advantage of the prevailing situation to make cash from persons in distress,” he stated.
The government is coordinating with relevant agencies and partners to mitigate further damages and support affected communities during the ongoing torrential rains.