County Clears Drainage Systems in Nakuru

Nakuru,

Thursday, November 9, 2023

KNA by Veronica Bosibori

The Nakuru County Government has embarked on clearance of clogged drainage systems to avert overflow of rainwater and flooding during the ongoing El Nino-related weather phenomena.

The County Executive for Infrastructure Engineer Michael Kamau said the move was also to protect the road infrastructure, ensure public safety, mitigate health risks, and build long-term resilience against climate-related challenges that may arise due to floods.

He said they have collaborated with KENAH’s contractors to direct the accumulated storm water at the busy KFA Roundabout to an existing manhole, whose inlet and outlet are at the right angle of the area.

Eng. Kamau who was speaking Friday, during inspection of the ongoing earth-draining excavation works along the KFA Roundabout, added that they will also unclog the Gatehouse Roundabout beneath the railway line to control the excessive pooling of water around the area.

He said clogged drainage systems can exacerbate flooding issues during the current EL Nino since water cannot flow efficiently through clogged drains, leading to water accumulation on roads, in residential areas, and in agricultural fields.

The county executive stressed the importance of collaborating with other stakeholders to address areas, which have proved to be a flooding menace on the major Nairobi-Nakuru highway, while flooding caused by clogged drainage systems can damage infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings.

Moreover, he said damage to infrastructure can be costly to repair and can disrupt the resident’s daily activities, and it poses a significant risk to public safety, as it can lead to accidents, injuries, and loss of life.

Kamau also said stagnant water resulting from clogged drainage can create breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, potentially leading to an increase in vector-borne diseases, hence the need for mitigating measures to minimize health risks.

Apart from that, the county executive underscored the significance of preparing for and responding to El Nino events by maintaining drainage systems and improving their resilience to help communities better adapt to the changing climate and reduce the impact of extreme weather events in the future.

Courtesy; KNA