The government has issued a public safety warning, alerting citizens to the potential for widespread flooding in the coming days due to heavy rains and overflowing dams.
With the Seven-Forks Hydro-electric Power Dams at capacity and the largest dam, Masinga, already spilling over, authorities are preparing for cascading effects that could inundate communities along the Tana River and its tributaries, as well as low-lying areas across several counties.
According to a press release from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the ongoing long rains have filled up the Seven-Forks Dams, with Masinga Dam already spilling through its managed spillways. While the immediate spillover from Masinga does not present obvious risks to the downstream dams of Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere, Kindiki warned that “any further precipitation is likely to cause the spillover to cascade to the other dams with greater flooding effects being likely in the settlements contiguous to the last dam-Kiambere.”
The threat extends beyond the dam system, with Kindiki highlighting the risk of the Tana River bursting its banks downstream, potentially causing significant flooding in Garissa, the Tana Delta and Lamu Counties. Communities along lakes and rivers in western Kenya, including Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, Nyando, Nyakach, Muhoroni, Migori, Kakamega, and Vihiga, are also at risk of flooding if precipitation levels increase.
“The risk of significant flooding in various parts of the Country has put the Government on high alert,” Kindiki said. “Accordingly, the public is hereby notified to exercise caution, plan their movements and avoid risky behaviour on moving waters.”
To mitigate the crisis, the government has reactivated the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and the Multi-Agency Disaster Management Team established during the 2023 El-Nino rains. The Kenya Red Cross Society and other humanitarian agencies have been brought in to coordinate the response.
County security and intelligence teams have been directed to work with local governments to monitor the situation and support interventions. Kindiki warned that the government may issue mandatory evacuation orders in specific areas if the situation warrants.
“The Government has taken proactive measures to ensure public security and safety and is prepared to mitigate any adverse effects of flooding in the Country,” Kindiki assured.
