'Rural-urban migration recipe for natural disasters'

From Left:Secretary,Administration Ministry of Devolution Hassan Noor Hassan exchanging pleasantries at Maasai Mara University grounds on July 11,2015 during World Population Day celebrations.Disasters were termed as a threat to population.PHOTO:ROBERT KIPLAGAT/STANDARD]

This year's World Population Day was celebrated in Narok County with calls on the 47 counties to develop policies aimed at mitigating natural disasters.

The event was held at Maasai Mara University grounds in Narok town, which lost 13 people in April this year due to flash floods.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Ministry's Secretary in charge of Administration Noor Hassan Noor, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru said rural-urban migration was a recipe for disasters in towns.

"Four out of five Kenyans will be moving to towns in the next five years. This will lead to sprouting of unplanned settlements, where access roads will also be encroached on. In cases of fire or flood disasters, many lives will be lost," said Ms Waiguru.

She said developing countries, especially those that recently faced Ebola disaster lost billions of dollars in terms of economy, adding that there was need by counties to come up with disaster management and response teams to avert fatalities.

 WAKE-UP CALL

Governor Samuel Tunai, who was represented by his deputy Everlyn Aruasa, said the recent disaster that hit Narok town was a wake-up call for the county to come up with mitigation measures.

"We are still coming to terms with the disaster that hit our town, claiming 13 lives a few months ago. We also lost businesses worth millions. To prevent the same from happening, the county, in conjunction with development partners will build eight check dams," said Mr Tunai.

He said apart from the check dams which are intended to reduce the speed of water upstream, the county was in the process of sourcing for funds to address the issues of drainages in the town.

National Council for Population Development Director General Josphine Mbae called on Kenyans to observe family planning and only give birth to children they can take care of.

"Bearing of children is not about how many but quality of children one brings up. The number does not matter as long as you can be able to provide basic needs and education to secure their future," said Dr Mbae.