Garissa Governor calls for lasting solutions as flood fear mounts

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has raised alarm over the planned release of water from dams along the Tana River, warning that downstream communities remain highly vulnerable to flooding.

Speaking on Saturday May 2, after an inspection tour of the Garissa Airstrip, the governor took issue with the national government of proceeding without a comprehensive mitigation plan, leaving residents exposed to recurring flood risks. He urged authorities to adopt long-term solutions, including the construction of additional downstream dams and canal diversion systems to manage excess water and prevent widespread damage in affected counties.

“Every time we receive heavy rains, our farmers suffer greatly due to water released from upstream dams along the Tana River. We cannot continue to endure these repeated losses,” Jama said.

His concerns come in the wake of a government advisory urging residents of Garissa and Tana River counties to move to higher ground amid fears of potential flooding caused by rising water levels in dams within the Tana River cascade.

In a statement, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that Masinga Dam had reached full capacity, necessitating controlled water releases to prevent structural damage.

“These measures are critical to safeguard the structural integrity of the dams, especially given the substantial inflows from the Aberdare ranges and Mount Kenya regions,” Mwaura said.

Other dams within the cascade—including Kiambere Dam, Kamburu Dam, Gitaru Dam, and Kindaruma Dam—also contribute to downstream flooding whenever water levels peak and excess is discharged.

Over the past years, floods along the Tana River have caused significant devastation in Garissa and Tana River counties, with hundreds of farmers losing both their livelihoods and, in some cases, their lives.