Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has called on the National Government to urgently find a permanent solution to manage the swelling of River Tana, as water levels continue to rise, threatening downstream counties.
Speaking during Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations at General Mohamud grounds in Garissa, Governor Jama lamented that the county has suffered long enough from devastating floods fueled by upstream rains and dam water releases.
“What happens in Garissa every time we get rain blessings is that the people of this town and our farmers suffer heavily because of the dam water which is released in the upstream of River Tana. We are telling the National Government that we cannot keep on suffering due to floods sixty years on since independence,” Jama said.
Despite Garissa County itself receiving minimal rainfall this season, River Tana is beginning to swell as upstream counties experience heavy downpours.
The river, which originates from the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountains, flows eastward to Garissa and Tana River counties before emptying into the Indian Ocean at the Tana Delta.
Some of the key tributaries feeding the river include the Chania, Thiba, Maragua and Thika rivers.
Additionally, when the Massinga, Kiambere, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma dams reach capacity, excess water is released, leading to catastrophic flooding downstream.
In recent years, the swelling of the River Tana has caused unimaginable loss. Farmers have lost not only their livelihoods but also their lives as floodwaters ravage their homes and fields.
Last year alone, more than 20 people were swept away by raging floods in Garissa. The floods have also damaged key infrastructure, including sections of the Garissa-Madogo road, which remains under reconstruction.
Governor Jama expressed frustration at the lack of political goodwill from the National Government, citing unfulfilled proposals to divert some of the river’s water to dry northern regions where it could be beneficial rather than destructive.
“It is shameful that we have not been able to get a permanent solution when it comes to floods. We lack goodwill from the National Government because we have made suggestions that the water be diverted to the northern parts of the country where there is a lack of water,” Jama added.
His sentiments were echoed by Sheikh Abdillahi Salat, Secretary of SUPKEM’s Garissa branch, who urged residents living along the river to move to higher ground to avoid being marooned by floodwaters.
As the Tana River continues to rise, residents remain on high alert, bracing for potential floods and hoping for decisive action from the government to finally put an end to decades of suffering.
KNA NEWS
