Muranga to relocate alcoholics due to El Nino

Murang’a County is set to relocate about 1,000 alcoholics being rehabilitated at the Ihura Stadium camp ahead of the much anticipated El Nino rains.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria said the camp that has been in operation for two months will be moved to a government facility currently under renovation at Kambirwa in Murang’a East.

Mwangi said his government decided to relocate the rehabilitation camp as the rains expected this month will affect operations at the camp.

The Governor, who was speaking during a visit to the camp, intimated that the first group of the alcohol addicts are expected to be discharged later this month.

Four days ago, Kenyans were urged to ensure they conserve enough water that will sustain them for several months once El Nino begins.

According to Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, dams sunk during the colonial era are still operational.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasized on the need to desilt them in order to enable proper storage and harvesting especially for use after the long rains.

He said the government would use the National Youth Service (NYS) and other development partners and the County Governments to desilt the dams and urged Kenyans to ensure they make good use of the rain water.

Last week, National Disaster Operations Centre Director Nathan Kigotho  said about 2.5 million school going children might be affected by the El Nino expected to commence in October and until January next year.

Kigotho warned children against sheltering under trees when the rains and floods start.

Kigotho also said the government requires Ksh 15.5 billion to mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon and make early emergency preparations before the rains set it.

The Disaster Operations Centre boss has warned the heavy rains might cause floods and bring about disease outbreaks and disrupt transport and other infrastructure.

Kigotho urged counties to order vaccines to deal with potential outbreaks.

Areas expected to be most affected by El Nino rains and consequent floods include Narok, Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Tana River, Lake Bogoria Basin, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kilifi, Budalangi and Nyando regions.

Leaders in different counties have already started operations ahead of El Nino.

About three weeks ago, the Nairobi City County said it would deploy 400 youth in South C area to unclog blocked drainage in preparation of the rains.

According to Nairobi CEC for Infrastructure and Roads Mohamed Abdulahi, the county government’s decision was guided by the detrimental effects caused by El Nino in 1997 and flash floods of May 2015.

“We are now meeting Nairobi residents to conduct public awareness campaigns and enlighten them on how they can cope during El Nino,” he said.

South C is one of the areas likely to be affected by the rains due to its poor drainage that has caused houses to flood during heavy rains.

He said that most of these systems have been in place since the colonial time and have become ineffective.

Abdulahi assured residents that the exercise would extend to other parts of the county in order to make the country free of flooding.

The CEC also put building owners on notice saying any building constructed on a drainage path will be demolished.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero had earlier said that the country is well prepared to deal with El Nino.

Various estates in Nairobi experienced heavy flooding in May when heavy rains pounded the county.

Most residents blamed the county government for being unprepared and neglect of the county’s drainage systems.