Speaking to the press, residents and local traders in Madogo, Tana River County, have raised major concerns regarding the area’s drainage system ahead of anticipated El Niño rains.
The primary physical issue highlighted to reporters is that drainage channels are severely clogged by overgrown vegetation specifically fully grown mathenge trees and accumulated debris, which obstruct water flow and risk causing major backups.
Community members have raised further alarm over urban encroachment, pointing out that houses and other structures built directly along natural waterways have narrowed or completely blocked the paths floodwaters would normally take.
Consequently, small-scale traders have raised concerns about operating in flood-prone marketplace areas, noting severe risks of lost goods and business disruption.
Furthermore, locals have raised issues surrounding hygiene, warning that overflowing drains and persistent stagnant water pose serious health risks by threatening outbreaks of waterborne and communicable diseases.
Emphasizing a lack of proactive government action, residents have raised an urgent call for national and county authorities to clear channels, remove trees, and coordinate emergency measures before the heavy rains begin.
