Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has identified areas in 33 counties that pose high-risk to residents due to the heavy rains experienced in the country.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, May 2, Kindiki announced that the 33 counties host 178 dams and water reservoirs situated on public and private land which may spill over, posing a high risk to persons living in their neighbourhood.
Some of the counties include Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Meru, Makueni, Marsabit, Machakos, Nyandarua and Nyeri among others
In the notice, Kindiki ordered people living in the areas near those dams and water reservoirs to vacate immediately or face mandatory evacuation.
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"All persons residing contiguous to the dams and water reservoirs are ordered to vacate the said areas immediately and in any case, within 24 Hours effective today, failing which they will be subjected to mandatory evacuation for their safety," he stated.
"The Government has put in place adequate measures to provide temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies to all those that will be affected by the vacation and evacuation orders," he added
According to the CS, mandatory evacuation shall be carried out in the daytime between 0600 hours and 1830 hours.
"National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) are directed to work with County Governments, Humanitarian Organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that the process of notification, vacation and mandatory evacuation, as well as provision of temporary shelter, food and non-food essential supplies is carried out in a timely, humane and effective way," he directed.
Moreover, Kindiki directed various security officers to monitor areas that are susceptible to mudslides including but not limited to the Counties of Nandi, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Murang’a, Nyeri, Machakos and Makueni, and to recommend specific areas where mandatory evacuation orders may issue.
Further, he ordered those in riparian land to vacate within 24 hours or face mandatory evacuation.
