The much-hyped preparedness to mitigate the effects of El Nino rains was submerged in crisis yesterday when major roads and several residential estates and schools in Nairobi were flooded following overnight rainfall that was described as average.
The situation on major city roads, that were waterlogged and some impassable, especially in the Eastlands and Nairobi North areas, was a worrying indicator of what could happen if the predicted El Nino unleashes its full wrath.
St Elizabeth Primary School in Nairobi’s Lunga Lunga estate was indefinitely closed as its entire compound turned into a miniature lake after the Wednesday night rains.
Motorists had a difficult time navigating through Jogoo and Lusaka roads, Eastleigh and Lang’ata areas during the morning rush hour as many sections were flooded, slowing down traffic and causing many vehicles to stall.
The Catholic church-run school, with a population of 1,500 pupils, was, ironically, a victim of efforts by the county government to save the sprawling Mukuru kwa Njenga slum from effects of expected flooding.
According to a teacher at the school, the dumping of soil by Nairobi County government workers blocked the Mutuini River, diverting its course and leaving the school on lower ground and susceptible to flooding.
On Wednesday night, the river burst its banks, flooding the school grounds with water submerging classrooms and stores, destroying property of unknown value, including food supplies and books. The school is donor-funded and was constructed at a cost of Sh3.5 million to provide education to needy children.
“As you can see there is no way learning can continue here, we have to protect these pupils against water-borne diseases since the flood water is contaminated with sewer,” said the teacher as personnel from the National Youth Service were busy trying to rectify the situation. At least two other schools in the vicinity were also inaccessible because of flooding and the risk of drowning.
Meanwhile, motorists were glued in stagnant traffic for hours in the morning as cautious drivers waded through dilapidated waterlogged sections seeking to avoid the affected thoroughfares. Most affected areas included Jogoo and Lusaka roads, Eastleigh, Kiambiu, Lunga Lunga, Mukuru kwa Rueben and Ngara Railway Estate.
Parts of Langata were also in the water while some informal settlements off Mombasa Road suffered the same fate. Although no casualties were reported, yesterday’s flooding brought to the fore pertinent questions on whether the government had put in place enough measures to mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño rains.
A spot check by the People Daily revealed that despite the county government setting aside over Sh50 million to tame effects of the expected deluge, the drainage systems on major roads appeared clogged and not improved.
The emergency recovery fund was to be used in clearing and unblocking drainage channels and reconstructing roads. Another Sh300 million was set aside for emergencies and other tragedies that may occur.
The National government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority, spent a further Sh50 million to unclog and repair drainage systems on major roads. On some roads, vehicles were yesterday submerged, leaving many Nairobi residents to trek to their places of work or use alternative means such as motor cycle taxis.
Many cars had to be towed away after stalling in water. Apprehension rose as heaviest rain to pound Nairobi this month appeared to herald the El Nino. The Treasury set aside Sh15 billion to mitigate the impact of El Nino but questions have been raised over the priorities the money is set to address.
Eye brows were raised over huge amounts of money allocated to purchase non-core items such as soaps and sanitary towels. According to the latest Kenya Red Cross El Nino Monitoring Report, flooding was also reported in Mombasa and Katope zones but no damage was recorded.
The teeming street families in Nairobi also soaked in the blunt of the overnight downpour, with many seen sheltering under eaves of buildings.
In the CBD, workers were busy unclogging the drainage system in a desperate effort to rectify the situation. Experts had predicted that light rains which begun more than a week ago were a sign of the looming El Nino phenomenon and warned sceptical Kenyans to take warnings seriously.
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero had declared that the county was fully prepared for the El Nino rains and had mapped out areas likely to be affected —a list of which was made public. By last evening, some other parts such as West Pokot were reported to have received heavy rainfall while others such as Siaya got above average marking on the rain gauge.
Rainfall was expected to continue over most parts of the country with areas around Lake Victoria expected to witness heavy rains of more than 50mm. According to KRCS, the risk of flooding is currently low in most parts of the country. However, this could change going into the end of this week when the Meteorological department forecasts increased amount of rainfall.
The Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre, under which the El Nino emergency preparedness falls, has assured response measures are in place, but the case for one day of rain in Nairobi alone has apparently left a lot to be desired.
Chairman of the National Taskforce on El Nino Preparedness, Col (Rtd) Nathan Kigotho recently denied reports of alleged wastage of the fund after media reported non-core items had been bought at exorbitant prices.
The post Nairobi fails pre-El Nino test appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.