By Peter Ochieng
You risk being arrested and charged for murder, in your bid to cross a flooded river.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior and National Administration Abraham Kithure Kindiki says enforcement teams will be deployed at urban and rural road spots prone to storm water flooding, to prevent motorists and pedestrians from dangerous crossovers.
“Deploy enforcement teams at urban and rural road spots prone to storm water flooding and without bridges or where the water has breached the bridge to prevent motorists or pedestrians from dangerous crossovers and to arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide and/or attempted murder as the facts of the case may be,” the CS said in a press statement on Monday.
Kindiki noted that the government is deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction of public and private property, resulting from the ongoing floods.
He regretted the fact that some Kenyans are taking the issue of flooding and its effects, casually.
“There are reports of continued risky behaviour by motorists and pedestrians, and casual treatment by members of the public of weather forecast and voluntary evacuation advisories.”
“Further, unscrupulous persons in order to benefit from persons in distress during storms are endangering the public, by constructing and operating rudimentary canoes or boats, and transporting stranded passengers for money,” he added.
To mitigate further loss of life, the Cabinet Secretary directed all county security and intelligence committees across the country, to inspect all public and private dams and water reservoirs in their jurisdictions within 24 hours effective at 1400 hours today, and immediately recommend cases where compulsory evacuation and temporary resettlement orders are to be issued.
The officers have also been ordered to prevent the transportation of passengers across flooded rivers, or storm water by unsafe canoes or boats and arrest inexperienced and unscrupulous persons taking advantage of the prevailing situation, to cash in on persons in distress.
Kindiki assured Kenyans that the government is coordinating all its relevant agencies and partners to prevent further loss of lives and property, in order to support all those who have been affected by the ongoing torrential rains.
His statement came shortly after it was confirmed that at least 42 people had died following flash floods in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru country, after water burst through the walls of the Dark Tunnel Valley dam located on Kijabe Hills on Monday morning.
The flash floods swept away tens of homes, in the neighbouring Ruiru Kamuchiri and Geogious areas, which border the reservoir.
Over 100 people were rescued from under the mud, while many more are feared trapped.
Those rescued by the Kenya Red Cross Society among other members of emergency teams were taken to hospitals in Mai Mahiu town.