REPORT ON SAFETY OF DAMS SHOWS 300,000 LIVES AT RISK IN KENYA

A report released in August 2019 shows the need for Kenya Authority to take serious action before numerous life’s were lost, however they failed to respond and are in a serious dilemma.

The Dam safety report by a 15 member taskforce commissioned by the Ministry of Water had expressed concerns that the status of dams in the country were not being inspected since no authority is expressly mandated by law to do so.

Despite the warning, the government failed to take action and are now racing against time to find ways of saving 300,000 people facing imminent danger of the spillage of the Turkwel hydropower dam.

According to the report, there was involvement of quacks and poor assessment of contractors and project sites by the indirectly responsible government agencies.

Now those forgotten or ignored report are currently playing out in Turkwel which is situated in West Pilot, as it has filled up to only two metres shy of overflowing, which reportedly could happen any minute.

Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok said they were not ready and did not know how to manage the situation.

Quoting Nanok, “Are we ready? No. We don’t know where the contingency plan used construct the dam is. We’re waiting on the National government to guide on that.”

It is reported that the areas in danger include Katilu, Lodwar, Kalemnyang, Loyapat, Nakwamoru, and other settlements along the shores of Lake Turkana.

So far, the 35-year-old dam has never overflowed before, but is now about 92 per cent full with a water level of 8.48 meters higher as of five days ago, leaving only 2.28 meters before spilling.

Kenya currently has 4,100 dams and water pans distributed throughout the country.

Source: Nation

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