Fear and panic grips Narok town residents as Olopito dams water levels rise

Fear and panic have gripped residents of Narok town over the possible risks of flooding in the region following heavy rains currently being experienced in the region.

The locals said dams, located in Olopito areas, at the upper region of the town and normally the source of floods to the town, may overflow any time soon.

A local Joseph Nkurunah said they were living in fear because the rains are unpredictable and the worst in the history of this country.

“The waters are rising and we need the government to swing into action before it causes a huge disaster in the town,” said Nkurunah.

Another resident Thomas Nchoe told the Star that the people need to be vigilant since the dams are likely to break their banks because the water is already overflowing.

“The Narok County Disaster team in collaboration with the county commissioner and Narok North MP has issued a warning to the public especially those operating business in Narok Central Business District to be on watchful,” he said.

The dam is part of the flood check dams constructed at the upper side of the town to control the frequent flooding in the town.

The purpose of the dam is to divert rainwater that usually runs at high speed downstream to Narok town.

However, Narok executive member in charge of Roads and Public Works John Gatua assured the locals there was no cause for alarm as measures have been put in place.

“Several mitigation measures were carried out and the residents living in town are out of danger,” Gatua said while accessing the dams with water engineers.

He said the locals only need to be cautious now that the rains are still heavy all over the country.

Youth leader Douglas Masikonde said the government should act, saying that these are painful lessons that the country is learning the hard way and many lives have been lost in a short period.

He added that the state needs to address the issue of better housing and good drainage systems to avert more disasters or the floods will continue to wreak havoc in the coming years.

“It is better we learn from other countries through their improved technology that informs us prior to natural disasters like this. We also need to use all resources resourcefully to save lives by incorporating all relevant personnel in the safety measures,” Masikonde said.

The youth leader also lamented that the government needs to be prepared all the time to handle all the disasters just in case a bigger magnitude happens.

“Consequently, it should be noted that both the national government and Narok county government have tried to create awareness on the safety measures but we need goodwill from both arms by investing in safety measures,” he said.

The devastating floods that always hit the town are replicated every time there are heavy rains.

Narok earned its name from the river Enkare -Narok, which is a Maasai word meaning dark water or murky waters.

The permanent river that draws its waters from the Mau forest runs right through the town with a tributary running right across the main shopping centre from Olopito hillocks overlooking the town on the East.

This tributary has come to be associated with the destruction of the town as the main cause of the floods to some extent that it has somehow authenticated the myth about how the town was borne.

 In 1993, a 45-minute rain killed over 50 people, swept several cars away and destroyed many livelihoods.

 In 2015, 15 people were killed in the flooding that hit the town.