Lamu residents call for construction of dams to curb flooding

Lamu residents have called on the national government to construct dams in villages prone to flooding annually.

They said this will reduce the impact of floods in the region and enable harvesting of the flood waters for other purposes.

Residents of Witu, Chalaluma, Dide Waride, Kitumbini, Takutaku, Kona Mbaya, Mandani-Mwangaza, Lumshi A and B, Moa, Pangani, Bahari, Mkunumbi, Hindi and surrounding areas continue to bear the brunt during the rainy period each year.

The problem is always worsened by overflow from dams in upland areas such as the Seven Folks, Kindaruma and others that flow downstream into Lamu, adding more volume to the already flooded areas.

As a result, hundreds flee their homes and have to put up in temporary shelters until the flood waters subside.

Abdi Kokane, an elder in Kitumbini area and whose house was swept away by floods in December last year, said dams would be an essential infrastructure in reducing flood-related disasters in the region.

“Every year, the situation is the same. The floods do the worst and we are left paying the price. I lost my home and all my property including livestock and had to start from scratch. We are asking the government to set up dams to help the situation,” Kokane said.

Hassan Yusuf, an elder in Chalaluma said asking people to move to higher areas during flooding does not help the situation as many have no alternative settlements.

“That is why many remain put in their houses even after being asked to move because they have nowhere else to go. What of the livestock, farmlands and all? We believe dams will enable the harvesting of the extra water while allowing us to still be safe in our homes,” Hassan said.

He admitted that over the years, climate change had caused an increase in the frequency and severity of catastrophic disasters like floods not only in Lamu but across the country.

He reiterated that their villages have for years been on the receiving of flood related disasters and called for a permanent solution.

“In areas like Chalaluma, water flows downstream. This excess volume of water needs to be redirected to specific areas like dams so that it’s actually put to use instead of being left to cause devastation,” Yusuf noted.

Lamu County Disaster Management Director, Shee Kupi said there was need for people to understand that dams have both upsides and downsides.

He said inasmuch as dams are known to perfect water harvesters and reservoirs, they can equally be potential disasters on their own.

“We are open to receiving such recommendations but like every other thing, there is a process to follow. First, a feasibility study must be conducted as a prerequisite for any physical establishment, especially when it’s a disaster-led project,” Kupi said.