By Bernardine Mutanu
Kenyans living downstream River Tana have been directed to vacate immediately as Masinga Dam is likely to overflow.
Water Resources Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Shurie, warned that the hydro-electric dam is full and may overflow in the in the next one to two days.
“The situation is [dire]. We are giving a warning for people to vacate,” Mr Shurie said in Nairobi on Wednesday.
He warned Kenyans who live along the banks of the river in Garissa, Hola and Garsen in Tana River to move to higher ground.
Currently, the velocity of the water in the river has increased to 336 cubic meters per second, compared to 30-100 cubic meters initially.
Heavy rains will increase the volume of water in the river as well as the dam.
Other Areas
Generally, all Kenyans living along rivers and in riparian areas have been asked to move to higher ground.
“People need to be vigilant. All Kenyans living in riparian areas [should] go to higher ground,” Mr Shurie said.
The WRA also warned people living along Ewaso River in Iresaboru, Isiolo County, and Mathioya River, areas which it described as high risk.
Residents of Greenpark Estate along Stone Athi, Seefar Estate and all buildings along the Nairobi Dam embankment and Kiserian Dam in Kajiado County are also at risk, the authority said.
