Mombasa Urges Government to Construct Dams, Aid Flood Victims

MOMBASA—Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa has called on the government to consider the construction of large dams as a preventive measure against the recurring floods that have recently claimed over 200 lives. Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of St. Joseph Catholic Church-Tudor Parish, Archbishop Kivuva emphasized the need for effective water management to mitigate the adverse effects of floods.

According to Kenya News Agency, the proposal for dam construction should include plans for using the harvested water for domestic use, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. He highlighted the pattern of heavy rainfall similar to that of 1961, which also caused significant displacement and damage across the country. The Archbishop stressed the importance of learning from past disasters and implementing emergency systems for quicker response to such crises.

In response to the current situation, the Archbishop revealed that all parishes under the Mombasa Archdiocese have been mobilized to support flood victims through donations of food and clothing. He also touched on the ongoing doctors’ strike, urging medical professionals to resume work and assist those affected by the floods.

Bishop Willybard Lagho of the Malindi Catholic Diocese also commented on the issue, noting that flooding is a recurrent problem exacerbated by poor planning and lax enforcement of construction regulations. He criticized the allowance of building on riparian lands and called for greater introspection among engineers and leaders to prevent such man-made disasters.

Furthermore, Bishop Lagho mentioned that three Catholic-sponsored schools in Malindi are currently inaccessible due to flooding, exacerbated by farming activities along river banks. He called for parents to play a more active role in guiding their children’s moral and religious education to foster better community values.

The church’s involvement underscores a community-driven approach to disaster relief and calls for a concerted effort from both the government and private citizens to tackle the challenges posed by natural disasters in Kenya.