Three killed after floods sweep Sh150m gabion in Turkana

Three killed after floods sweep Sh150m gabion in Turkana

The ongoing heavy rains that continue to wreak havoc across the country have swept a gabion built by the Turkana County Government in Lodwar Town, resulting in the death of three people.

The five-foot tall wall said to have cost Ksh150 million was built along Kawalasee River to prevent its waters from spilling over to the neighbouring households but it has since collapsed, with the waters killing three people and causing the displacements of many others.

The most affected villages included California, Soweto, Napetet, Borabu Yong and Nakerekei.

This comes barely five months after Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation, Eugene Wamalwa, launched the mega-gabion during a tour of the area.

“This will help prevent floods from spilling into the villages by providing a barrier and will enable a guided flow of water,” Wamalwa told residents during the launch.

Residents now fear that in the event the rains persist, worse damage could be experienced since their villages are completely exposed.

“The people who were contracted to put up the whole project are to blame for this. Property worth millions has been destroyed and at the moment we cannot access the shopping centers or any other town,” Emmanuel Lokuruka, a resident, told Citizen Digital.

The floods have destroyed Kalotum Bridge which connects to Lodwar and Kolokol towns.

 

Tags:

Lodwar floods California TURKANA COUNTY Soweto Borabu Yong deadly rains Kalokol Kalotum bridge Nakerekei Napetet

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