Makueni: Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has made a plea for Sh23 million in aid from development partners and well-wishers to assist families who have been displaced by severe flooding caused by ongoing rains in the region. The governor revealed that the heavy rains have displaced over 200 households, destroyed 135 shelters, and resulted in the loss of 18 lives.
According to Kenya News Agency, the essential items needed for the affected families include food supplies such as maize, rice, and beans, as well as non-food items like blankets, cement, mattresses, iron sheets, and sanitary provisions. Medical and nutritional supplements are also urgently required. Governor Mutula, in a letter read by Makueni County Drought Coordinator Alice Munyao during a County Steering Group (CSG) meeting, stated that the county government has already committed Sh10 million towards the relief efforts.
The CSG meeting, held in Wote town, was attended by development partners and relevant departmental heads and chaired by Deputy County Commissioner George Lugo. The governor emphasized the critical situation, noting the ongoing March-April-May rains have had significant impacts on several villages with the potential for further displacement and rising humanitarian needs.
Areas severely affected by the floods include Mikululo and Mbitini, while mudslides have been reported in Mukaa and Kilungu Sub-counties, where two children recently lost their lives. The relief assistance is anticipated to continue for the next two months, during which heavy rains are expected to persist.
George Lugo highlighted the extensive damage caused by the rains and stressed the importance of coordinated measures to manage the crisis effectively. A Communication Centre has been established to ensure accurate dissemination of information to the public, involving stakeholders such as NDMA, Red Cross, Interior, Education, and Disaster Management and Emergency Services.
During the same meeting, Anglican Development Services Eastern CEO John Mutua addressed the Makueni Agroforestry Carbon Project, which saw 11,217 hectares planted with tree seedlings. However, challenges such as a prolonged dry spell have reduced the survival rate of these trees to 38 percent. To combat this, efforts are underway to supply water to farmers to ensure the survival of the seedlings.
The project aims to link 40,000 farmers with certified tree seedlings and provide training in soil water conservation, land preparation, and tree planting. The goal is to plant 5.6 million tree seedlings by 2043. Concerns were raised by members regarding the low survival rate of seedlings, and a call was made for collaboration with relevant departments to improve these outcomes.
