Makueni disaster teams undergo emergency response training

Makueni County Disaster Response team underwent joint life-saving training. [iStockphoto]

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in conjunction with the Makueni County Disaster Response team were on Monday trained on a search and rescue mission.

This is aimed at building their capacity to save lives during the heavy rains pounding the region. The team that underwent joint life-saving training on board a responder rescue boat were also trained on how to operate the boat.

"There was a need for us to have teams trained on aqua response missions where they have been trained on boat riding techniques. The boat will be used to rescue victims if we have any person marooned during this rainy season," said Stacy Agatha Pekke, the Kenya Red Cross Regional Disaster Management Officer, Lower Eastern region.

Addressing the media at Kyamusoi dam in Wote town on Tuesday, Pekke said the boat will be located at a central place to serve Makueni, Kitui, Machakos and Kajiado Counties.

"The boat which has been availed will be supporting the lower Eastern region but we still have boats stationed at other regions which are likely to be affected by heavy down-pour," she said.

Although Makueni has not been listed among the counties to receive heavy rainfall, the KRCS regional boss said the training was a precautionary measure after the county was hit by heavy rains in the last season.

More than 20 people died in Makueni during the last rainy season. The youngest was a schoolgirl who died after a house collapsed in Kaiti constituency.

Eight people drowned while crossing River Muuoni.

Regions expected to receive heavy rainfall include Coast, Central and Western, especially regions around the Lake Victoria basin.

"Our call is for people to adhere to safety measures disseminated around because we have an advisory that we might receive heavy rains. We want to warn the public to keep off near water bodies and regions that might experience flash floods," Pekke said.