The massive destruction caused by the ongoing heavy rains requires urgent intervention. It is claiming lives and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Last week, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa reported that floods and landslides had killed at least 116 people across the country. Thousands have been displaced as homes are demolished and farms submerged. Major roads have been destroyed, cutting off communication in many places. We are faced with a major humanitarian crisis that is bound to worsen as the rains continue. Moreover, the rains have destroyed crops and animals, putting paid to agricultural activities, therefore portending hunger for many.
Coming against the lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation is grave. Traditionally flood-prone areas of Busia, Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay counties, which border Lake Victoria, are particularly deep in crisis. Whereas in the past the floods were caused by rivers bursting their banks as they wound their way to drain into Lake Victoria, this time round it is a combination of sorts. Lake Victoria is overflowing due to massive siltation, ejecting waters back to its shores. When that combines with waters from swollen rivers, the disaster is unprecedented. Tana Delta and surrounding areas, which are recurrently flooded, are already submerged.
But equally worrying is that regions that never experienced flooding and landslides — such as Thika, Meru, Nakuru, Kericho and Baringo — have been swamped. Indeed, experts had warned of heavy rainfall this year but it was not anticipated to be torrential.
However, it is worrying that the government has not responded effectively to this unfolding calamity. Few officials have visited the affected regions. The displaced families urgently require shelter, food and medical care. They are badly exposed to diseases, including Covid-19, due to the conditions they have been forced into, going without proper sanitation and hygiene facilities. Getting water to wash hands and clean themselves is a challenge.
The situation at hand is perilous and has to be tackled quickly.
First, the national and county governments have to lift out those in submerged areas to safer ground. Secondly, the respective ministries of Transport, Water and Devolution have to deploy emergency teams to restore damaged infrastructure. Thirdly, health personnel should be deployed to the camps to check on the displaced and particularly monitor coronavirus prevalence.
Here is a huge crisis which, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic, are stretching public resources to the limit. Therefore, urgent measures have to be taken to save lives and property.
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