Uasin Gishu County Disaster Management Committee Enhances Flood Mitigation Measures

Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, EGH on Friday chaired a meeting with the County Disaster Management team at the county headquarters to discuss key measures aimed at averting any disasters as a result of the ongoing heavy rains.

Speaking at a press briefing with the media, the county boss advised parents and all education stakeholders to be cautious in the manner in which learners should be handled and their safety prioritized before schools reopen. 

"I want to urge parents to ensure they accompany their children to and from schools and headteachers to make sure that learners are not released to go home during adverse weather conditions," he advised.

Governor Bii further urged headteachers to do an assessment of the effects of the heavy rains in their schools and report so that the county can support the maintenance of damaged buildings and other infrastructure.

He also advised residents not to cross overflowing rivers and roads affected by the rains. The governor said that the county had assisted 22 households out of the 72 affected by the Cheptiret flash floods, urging more well-wishers to provide support

He stressed the importance of having proactive measures to respond to incidents saying that the county had already fuelled and deployed its machinery on the ground ready to assist or respond to any emergency.

The governor added that the county government through the Department of Roads, Transport and Public Works is continuing to open and expand drainage systems and that the devolved unit has identified 28 dams that require immediate attention.

Residents are advised to contact the emergency hotline at 0710646464 or dial 1199 for quick response.

Among those present were Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Edison Nyale, Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot, Kenya Red Cross Head of North Rift Region Mr. Oscar Okumu, County Executive Committee members, and other senior county officials.