Kachapin Calls on Residents of Specific Areas to Relocate amidst Heavy Rains

By Cynthia Lodite,

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has called on residents of West Pokot County residing within areas at risk of flooding to relocate to safer grounds.

The County boss while addressing Members of the County Assembly on the State of the County address on Thursday 2nd of May emphasized on the importance of collective action in mitigating climate risks in the region.

“For communities at risk of flooding and landslides, I would like to stress the importance of relocating to safer areas during heavy rains, emphasizing collective action to mitigate climate risks”, said Kachapin.

In addition Kachapin while making the call to West Pokot residents mentioned the past flooding disasters that hit the county further explaining the importance of moving to safer spaces.

“This is important because we have witnessed catastrophic consequences like the one witnessed in 2019 in Nyarkulian, Parua, Muino and recently in Kopro location, Weiwei Ward,” said Kachapin.

Likewise, Kachapin’s statement comes at the heights of floods experienced across various parts of the Country with the Kenya Meteorological Services issuing a continued heavy rainfall and strong winds advisory starting from Thursday through to Monday next week.

The Metrological Department Director Dr. David Gikungu, in a statement on Thursday, cautioned of intensified high rainfall which may be accompanied by floods in the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi and Southeastern lowlands among other areas in 41 counties.

“Heavy rainfall of more than 40mm in 24hrs pounding several parts of the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area and Southeastern lowlands is likely to continue from Thursday 2-5 May 2024,” stated Dr. Gikungu.

So far according to reports by the National government the number of Kenyans who have died from the ongoing nationwide floods rose to 188 as of Thursday morning as the nation continues to battle with torrential.