Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Geoffrey Mosiria, the county chief officer for environment, has spoken about the frequent floods in the Parklands area.

On Wednesday, May 13, Mosiria assessed the flooding situation following complaints from residents of Parklands, specifically at Brookside and Parklands First Avenue.

In a statement, Mosiria stated that most flooding in highlighted areas is linked to the construction of houses on top of the River Kibagare.

According to Mosiria, the flooding situation will continue unless the houses are demolished and relocated 30 metres away from the riverbanks.

"The flooding in these areas is largely due to the construction of houses on top of River Kibagare. This situation will not end unless these buildings are demolished and relocated at least 30 metres away on both sides of the river to allow its natural flow without obstruction," Mosiria said.

Mosiria disclosed that the county government will engage the Water Resources Authority to map out the affected areas to reclaim the river waterways.

"'This is a historical problem that dates back to the time of the former City Council, and it requires a long-term solution. We will engage the Water Resources Authority to help us map out the affected structures. In collaboration with the national government and the Nairobi River Regeneration Commission, we will move swiftly to repossess the river’s waterway," he added.

According to Mosiria, increased development in Parklands has meant most green spaces have been replaced by concrete.

As a result, rainwater has no place to percolate and ends up in the river and drainage systems, which were not designed to handle such volumes, leading to flooding in Parklands and other parts of the city.

He said the county engineers are working closely with the national government to find a long-term solution.

"To build a flood-free city, our county engineers are working closely with the national government to develop a long-term solution that will serve Nairobi for the next 50 years or more. This is a process that requires time and careful planning. As the Environment Department, we are working diligently to prevent further damage by unblocking drainage systems and collecting garbage from road reserves, as we support the government in providing a sustainable solution," Mosiria stated.

Meanwhile, at least six people lost their lives following heavy overnight rains that caused widespread damage across several areas in Nairobi, leaving behind destruction, displacement, and grief.

Among the victims was a mother and her two children who died in the Mathare 4A informal settlement when a large boulder, loosened by the rains, crashed into their home.

The fatal rockfall happened after a nearby river overflowed, weakening the soil around it and causing the boulder to collapse onto the family’s house while they were asleep.

Source: TUKO.co.ke