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{
"id": 174827,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/174827/?format=api",
"text_counter": 210,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Dr. Shaban",
"speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Special Programmes",
"speaker": {
"id": 139,
"legal_name": "Naomi Namsi Shaban",
"slug": "naomi-shaban"
},
"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a Ministerial Statement on the flood situation that was there some time last month. The country experienced a sudden onset of flooding in late October and early November as a result of the sudden and heavy rainfall that spread to different parts of the country. Over 100,000 people were displaced, and there was destruction of crops and property and the unfortunate deaths 4112 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 16, 2008 of 20 people. The heavy flooding was unusual and may be because of the climate change. Unfortunately, the frequency and intensity of the flooding has been on the increase as evidenced by the recent flooding that happened during the short rainy season. The areas which were affected included the Western Province, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central, Eastern and North Eastern Provinces. Some of the worst affected areas were the Budalangi area, where severe flooding occurred after the water burst the dykes along River Nzoia on 10th November, 2008. Approximately, 5,000 people were marooned by water and had to be evacuated to safer grounds. Other areas affected included Namanjalala in Trans Nzoia District, Usonga in Siaya District, Mwala, Machakos, Central Pokot, Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Tana River districts. In Pokot Central, 11 people died due to mudslides from flash flooding, and another eight people were reported to have died in Mwala and Machakos districts. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government responded to the disaster through timely evacuation and provision of basic necessities, which included food and non-food items, to the affected people. A sensitisation of communities on disasters exercise was also carried out to warn people living around river banks and mudslide-prone areas about the possible dangers. The Government's interventions were closely co-ordinated with humanitarian actors. As part of the long-term measures to address the recurrence of disasters, the Government has established early warning systems to predict the occurrence of disasters and, therefore, put in place contingency measures to minimise risks. For drought, which is the most common disaster, a monthly bulletin on the situation on 22 ASAL districts is released. Similarly, for the chronic flooding problem in Budalangi, a daily and monthly flood water bulletin is issued to notify all stakeholders and the community on the water levels of the river. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on 28th October, 2008, for example, the Government released a warning to all relevant line Ministries and humanitarian development partners on the flood threat in the River Nzoia plain in order to prepare everyone for impending floods. When the flooding occurred, it was well anticipated and necessary arrangements had been put in place, including pre-positioning of food and non-food items and boats to evacuate marooned persons. For the Budalangi flooding, the Government has also received World Bank funding for the Western Kenya Community-Driven Development and Flood Mitigation Project. Mr. Speaker, Sir, overall, the broad objective of the Government is to develop a sustainable, dynamic and capable disaster management system and enhance coping mechanisms in order to make the Kenyan society more resilient to diasters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}