County Commissioners evict forceful those in flooding areas immediately -CS Fred Matiang'i

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on floods. FILE

More than 20 counties are affected by floods in Kenya. The most hit counties include Trans-Nzoia, Vihiga, Nyeri, Tana River, Garissa, Samburu, Turkana, Laikipia, Baringo, Elgeiyo Marakwet and Kakamega.


Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i now says the government has commenced forcefully evicting people out of areas prone to flooding following the heavy rains witnessed in the country in recent weeks.

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More than 200 people have lost their lives due to floods in Kenya.


This comes as the government on Tuesday announced that 30 people had died within the last 24 hours of flooding, bringing the total tally over the last three weeks to 194.


CS Matiang’i, speaking during a press address in Nairobi on Wednesday, said security apparatus in the flood-hit areas, especially in the North-Eastern, Western and Eastern regions, had already been given the green light to use force where necessary.


The tough-talking CS said negotiation with residents of such areas was not working saying: “…as public leaders we have a responsibility to protect lives, and so we would rather negotiate with you when you’re alive.”


“We have instructed the County Commissioners and the county security teams in Garissa and Tana River to move everyone away; even if it means putting them on lorries ourselves and getting them out of danger,” said Matiang’i.