29 counties affected by floods - PS Harsama says

The flash floods have so far affected 29 counties, PS State Department for the ASALS and Regional Development Kello Harsama has said.

Speaking to the press after touring the Kona Punda area where the search and rescue team is camping, the PS said the government has started a major relief operation to assist flood victims in all the affected counties.

Last week, the government activated a multi-agency emergency response centre at Nyayo House to facilitate response interventions to floods across the country.

He said that the muti-agency response centre and the disaster committees that have been activated across the country will go a long way in helping get the exact number of those in need of assistance.

“I am here as part of the measure of conducting an assessment which is being done across the country and spearheaded by the county commissioners so that we can get the real data before we offer assistance,” he said.

Harsama was accompanied by Tana River Senator Danston Mungatana, Bura MP Yakub Adow, Tana River Woman representative Amina Dika, Garissa township MP Dekow Mohamed and Tana River deputy governor Mahad Loka.

He further disclosed that several PSs will from Wednesday crisscross the affected counties to further assess the situation saying the help will get to whoever requires it.

On his part, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed took issue with the pace at which the government was using to initiate the construction of the road that is the gateway to the North Eastern region.

"Six months down the line there is absolutely nothing on the ground. This is extremely unfortunate. They will again come back and tell us that they are looking for another Sh1 billion. We need answers," he said.

On Wednesday, three bodies were retrieved by the search team bringing the total number of bodies recovered to seven. They include four men and three women.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, at least ten people are still unaccounted for.

Speaking separately, Kenya Livestock Marketing Council chairman Dubat Amey called on the rescue team to extend their search further upstream and not limit themselves to one area.

He further appealed to residents living along River Tana to be watchful and report to the authorities once they spot bodies within their areas.

“For once, let the government get serious and hasten the construction of this road, raise it and put up bridges. We cannot be losing the lives of innocent people every other time there are floods," he said.