Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has called on the National Government of Kenya to urgently implement a long-term solution to the recurring floods in downstream counties by diverting a portion of the Tana River’s waters to arid northern regions.
His appeal comes amid rising water levels in the river, triggered by heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas, which continue to endanger lives, destroy farms, and damage infrastructure in Garissa and Tana River counties.
The Tana River, Kenya’s longest river, originates from the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range.
It flows eastwards, traversing several counties, including Garissa and Tana River, before emptying into the Indian Ocean at the Tana Delta.
The river receives inflows from several tributaries, notably the Chania, Thiba, Maragua, and Thika rivers, which contribute to its swelling during the rainy season.
Governor Jama expressed grave concern over the continued destruction caused by seasonal flooding.
“Every time we receive the blessing of rain in this country, it turns into a curse for the people of Garissa. The released water from upstream dams causes massive devastation,” he said.
“We cannot keep on suffering due to floods sixty years after independence.”
The dams in question—Masinga, Kiambere, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma—are critical components of Kenya’s hydroelectric power system.
However, when these reservoirs reach capacity, water must be discharged downstream, often exacerbating the flooding situation in lower-lying counties such as Garissa.
Over the past two years, the Tana River’s floods have claimed lives, washed away farmlands, and severely damaged roads, including several sections of the Garissa-Madogo road, which remain under reconstruction.
In 2024 alone, at least 20 people were reported to have been swept away by raging floodwaters in Garissa.
Governor Jama lamented the lack of a sustainable and coordinated flood mitigation strategy by the National Government, accusing it of neglecting the region’s long-standing appeals for intervention.
He reiterated previous proposals to redirect some of the river’s water flow to the semi-arid and arid northern regions, which are in dire need of water for both domestic and agricultural use.
“It is shameful that we have not found a permanent solution to this problem. We have recommended several times that part of the Tana River’s water be diverted to water-scarce northern Kenya, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Jama said.
The governor’s remarks highlight the broader challenges of water resource management in Kenya, where seasonal flooding and water scarcity often coexist within short geographic distances.
His call adds pressure on the central government to prioritize investments in flood control infrastructure, water diversion projects, and equitable resource distribution to safeguard vulnerable communities and boost agricultural productivity in dryland regions.
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As climate change continues to intensify weather extremes, experts warn that the frequency and severity of floods could increase in the coming years, making it imperative for national and county governments to collaborate on durable, science-driven water management solutions.
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