Tana River families vow not to return to flood prone village

Tana River flood victims who were relocated to higher grounds have urged the government to help them resettle permanently.

The over 300 families who were moved from Bandi village in Garsen constituency have vowed not to go back to the flood prone area.

They were relocated to a village between Minjila and Garsen junction on Friday.

Garsen MP Ali Wario, who provided transport during the relocation, urged the residents to rebuild their lives at the new place.

He asked the government to construct schools and other social amenities for the residents.

Mohamed Bule, a pastoralist, urged the national government to help them build permanent homes.

“We want to permanently settle here because this is an area that is not affected by floods. It is unfortunate that we have had to move every year because of floods,” he said.

Omar Kuno, said they are yet to build makeshift houses for their families.

He said the harsh weather conditions have affected children and the elderly.

Tana River has been affected by the floods caused by El Nino rains.

Bandi village residents have for a long time refused to move from the the area.

They have over the years returned to the flood prone village despite being displaced by floods.

In 2018 when former President Uhuru Kenyatta allocated Sh1 billion for the construction of houses for flood victims on higher grounds, they resisted.

The residents asked Kenya Red Cross Society to rebuild their houses right in the flood-prone area.

Meanwhile in Feji village, Tana Delta, Mohamed Said, a farmer from nearly died after the canoe he was using to ferry his farm produce capsized.

Said was rescued by farmers who were riding on another canoe.

“This disaster is the worst. All my farm produce have been destroyed. The little that we salvaged from the floods have also been lost after the boat capsized," he said.

Mohamed Maro said some farmers  from Feji village are strapped with their produce in the floods.

“I am a diver I managed to rescue three people yesterday and as you can see the water level is rising, the place has become completely inaccessible,” he said.

Kenya Red Cross Society Regional manager Hassan Musa said the situation has worsened.

He has urged individuals in flood prone areas to move to higher grounds

“Most of the farms have been submerged and people have lost property,” Musa said.

Musa said the flooodwaters may cause waterborne diseases.

“If the situation worsens, there will be need for a chopper to rescue people because there are areas that are not accessible," he said.

Musa has appealed to donors and well-wishers to help the flood victims.