Locals urged to relocate as Kiambeere dam nears full capacity

BY RITA MUTHONI

Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire has urged people living along 7-folks dams to relocate to higher grounds for safety.

Mbarire noted that the Kiambeere dam was bound to spill anytime soon due to continuing rains.

Mbarire said people living within the Iria-Itune, Ndurumori, and Kamarandi areas in Mbeere North should exercise caution by moving to higher grounds since their areas were at high risk.

Speaking during a meeting with the disaster management committee, Mbarire said the committee will assess the situation and advise further.

Mbarire said Kiambere dam, which is the last dam down the Seven Forks line spills its water back to river Tana.

“We particularly anticipate that there will be spillover from Kiambere Dam which is almost full. We are requesting the communities living along the rivers in the localities below the dam start relocating to higher safer grounds,” Mbarire said.

She said the county government through the disaster management committee is identifying the potential institutions to host the families in danger areas.

Mbarire said the area chiefs have launched the identifying process and will ensure all residents are safe.

Further, the county boss urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing rains and harvest water for future use.

She urged them to plant more trees to curb the impact of climate change.

This comes a few days after the Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir expressed the same call over anticipated dam spillage.

The country is currently experiencing floods that have left at least 70 people dead and tens of hundreds relocate.