Marsabit County Grapples with Floods, Urgent Recovery Measures Needed
Marsabit County, is facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing torrential rains, affecting over 4,000 households and exacerbating the food insecurity crisis for 206,000 people, a situation worsened by the preceding drought. A rapid assessment led by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that 500 households have been displaced, and 150 pit latrines have collapsed across the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, outbreaks of rain-related diseases like malaria and diarrhea are on the rise, along with increasing cases of malnutrition due to contaminated water and inadequate food. About 66,000 households are reportedly practicing poor hygiene. The floods have also rendered roads and seasonal rivers impassable, isolating 9,200 households in Moyale, Saku, North Horr, and Laisamis constituencies, who rely on integrated medical outreaches.
The report, presented during a county steering group meeting at Jirme Hotel and Resort, showed that the rains have escalated to above normal levels, causing widespread disruption of life and human activities. The meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo and Marsabit Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni, disclosed that three lives have been lost so far due to the floods.
Grace Galmo, the county’s executive member for health, highlighted that health activities, including referrals, nutrition support, immunization, and vaccinations, have been severely disrupted. She noted that the distribution of drugs, aquatabs, insecticide-treated nets, and food has been hindered due to the breakdown of the road network.
The assessment found that 12,033 kilometers of road have been destroyed, with 31 major link roads now impassable, cutting off residents from essential goods and services. The pastoralist communities have lost 887 livestock, including goats, sheep, camels, and cattle, to the floods.
In the education sector, the destruction of infrastructure like classrooms, kitchens, and ablution blocks will require approximately Sh 90,620,000 for reconstruction. The floods have damaged eight kitchen facilities, roofs, submerged 33 toilets, and left 62 classrooms uninhabitable.
Additionally, an outbreak of livestock diseases like foot rot has been reported. Dr. Arero Halikano, the chief officer for livestock, announced a two-week intensive vaccination plan against rift valley fever due to increased mosquito infestation. The county government, in collaboration with sector stakeholders, has prepared adequate vaccines and drugs for this purpose.
Deputy Governor Gubo emphasized the need for early recovery action to normalize the situation. He urged residents in lowland areas to relocate to safer grounds and advised against resettling in the same areas post-rains. Gubo called for immediate repair of the road network and appealed for donor support in providing shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare, and livelihood support to the vulnerable.
He also stressed the importance of continuous monitoring to address evolving needs and ensure a sustainable recovery process.