Tana River governor forms team to mobilise resources for flood victims

A bodaboda rider wades through a flooded road along Oda Shirikisho road in Tana Delta which is completely inaccessible due to floods. [File, Standard]

The Tana River County government has formed a seven-member committee to mobilize resources to assist families affected by floods.

The task force headed by Governor Dhadho Godhana will solicit funds from the government and non-governmental organisations to feed and resettle more than 10,000 residents displaced by floods.

While inaugurating the team, the governor said it includes the private sector, civil society and media personnel who will work closely with the county emergency response department.

The team comprises of Mombasa businessman Fahim Bayusuf, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tana River chairman Hassan Barisa and a representative from the civil society group.

He said the team will have branded vehicles and work independently in soliciting resources such as food, tents, mosquito nets, water storage tanks and blankets.

"I am today inaugurating this committee to help government agencies in looking for food and non-food items to help communities currently in dire need of assistance," he said.

Meanwhile, the main Garissa-Hola road has been rendered impassable after the Hiriman and Dukanotu bridges were swept away by floods.

The multi-billion shillings bridges whose construction commenced in February were swept away when seasonal rivers broke banks disrupting traffic flow.

Several transporters and public service vehicles have suspended operations along Hola-Garissa-Nairobi routes, causing an acute food shortage.

Passengers travelling to Nairobi route are now using the Malindi-Kilifi-Mavueni road, which has forced them to pay more.