Narok County in last minute rush to manage expected El Nino

A grader opening up the waterway in Narok town on September 29,2015. Over 10 people died in flash floods April this year after heavy rains. (PHOTO: ROBERT KIPLAGAT)

Construction of a proper drainage system is underway in Narok town ahead of the anticipated El Nino rains.

Heavy machinery has been deployed to expand the main drainage in the town where 11 lives were lost last April when floods hit.

Town Ward Representative Bernard Torome, who is also in charge of physical planning said the assembly had passed a motion to enable the county allocate substantial amounts of the emergency budget to mitigate against effects of the rains.

Mr Torome said even though there is no specific budget for the drainage works, the expansion of the main system must be done to open waterways that are known to divert water from its main course.

As a lasting solution, the county disaster management committee had recommended that all structures along the waterways be demolished but none has been brought down, as the county is still sourcing for funds to compensate owners of the affected structures.

"Plans to demolish businesses premises erected along the main drainage have been slow due to legal issues. The national government should increase the amount of disaster funds to Narok town," said Torome.

The business community in the town has also expressed fears over the predicted heavy rains and wants stringent measures taken by relevant authorities to avert deaths and losses of property.

The town, which is geographically located in a 'basin' terrain has experienced deadly flash floods each time it has rained heavily since 1992.

Narok Town Business Association Chairman David ole Sankok said the county and national government are "not prepared" to deal with El Nino in the flood-prone town.

"Narok town is a time bomb. The cause of the killer floods has always been the bursting of a dam upstream, and we have seen more dams constructed meaning more disasters await the town as more water will accumulate," said Mr Sankok.

MP Moitalel ole Kenta called on the national government to increase the disaster management funds to protect vulnerable areas such as Narok town, as it looks for a permanent solution.

The legislator has also called on the county government to fast-track the compensation of owners of structures constructed along water ways, to have them demolished to pave way for the flash floods.

In April more than 15 bodies were recovered and several people reported missing after floods swamped the town.

The floods caused a four-storey building within the central business district to collapse. It was under construction.