Garissa farmers demand compensation over recurring Tana River floods

For years, the fertile farms lining the banks of River Tana in Garissa have symbolized hope and survival for thousands of families. But today, that hope is steadily being washed away by devastating floods that farmers say have become a yearly nightmare caused by the release of water from upstream dams.

Now, exhausted and frustrated after decades of destruction, farmers in Garissa are demanding compensation from the government for what they describe as perennial flood devastation that has ruined crops, destroyed irrigation systems, and pushed entire communities deeper into poverty.

Speaking during a tense press conference in Garissa on Tuesday, members of the Garissa Farmers Network painted a grim picture of suffering stretching across nearly 400 kilometres — from Balambala to Ijara — where communities living along the river have repeatedly watched helplessly as raging waters swallowed their farms.

“Our farms are spread along the Tana River from Balambala to Ijara, covering almost 400 kilometres,” said farmer Mohamed Sheikh Hassan. “Since 2004, every rainy season — whether long rains or short rains — we have faced floods that destroy our farms and livelihoods. We are tired of rebuilding our lives every single year.”

According to the farmers, what was once considered a natural disaster has now become a predictable annual tragedy. They accuse authorities of failing to implement long-term solutions despite years of destruction and repeated appeals for intervention.

For many families, farming along the river is the only source of income. But each season, floodwaters wipe out crops ready for harvest, tear apart irrigation canals, and leave behind barren fields coated in mud and debris. The losses, farmers say, amount to millions of shillings.

“Things will no longer be the same again,” Hassan declared. “We will seek justice through the courts and all relevant agencies. For over twenty years we have suffered losses caused by these floods, and somebody must take responsibility.”

The farmers claim the only support they receive from authorities are warning alerts issued days before water is released from upstream dams. To them, the warnings are no longer enough.

“The people releasing the dam waters must also take responsibility for the destruction downstream,” Hassan added. “You cannot continue warning us while our livelihoods disappear every year.”

Among those hardest hit is Amina Issa, whose voice carried both frustration and heartbreak as she described how years of flooding have shattered the dreams of local farmers.

“For five years, we have waited for the government to take meaningful action,” she said. “But nothing has changed. Farming along the river has become impossible. Crops are destroyed, livelihoods are collapsing, and families can no longer depend on agriculture to survive.”

She explained that many young people are now abandoning farming altogether, discouraged by repeated losses and uncertain futures. What was once a thriving agricultural lifeline for the region is slowly turning into a zone of despair.

The farmers are now calling for urgent and permanent solutions to end the cycle of destruction. Among their proposals are the construction of additional dams to regulate excess water, expansion of drainage systems, and diversion canals to redirect part of the river’s flow during heavy rains.

The Tana River Basin has long experienced severe flooding during rainy seasons, especially when water levels rise in the Seven Forks dams — including Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, and Kiambere. When excess water is released, downstream communities in Garissa and Tana River counties often bear the full force of the floods.

For residents living along the riverbanks, however, the issue is no longer just about natural disasters. It is about survival, accountability, and the fear that unless decisive action is taken, another rainy season could once again wash away everything they have worked for.