Lack of funds to blame for flooding

Mombasa,Kenya: Mombasa county government has failed to control flooding in Mtopanga ward because its transport and infrastructure department has been under-funded, a committee of the local county assembly has said.

The committee on administration, county security and disaster management said bridges should be constructed to enable residents cross flooded areas during the rainy season.

The committee chaired by Mtongwe ward representative, Hamisi Mwidani, said in its report tabled at the county assembly yesterday that the transport and infrastructure department was allocated a paltry Sh150 million in the 2013/2014 financial year against the required Sh1 billion annual budget.

The report also revealed that a visit to Mtopanga, following complaints from residents and the area MCA, established that there is an acute storm water drainage problem due to poor drainage infrastructure yet the county government cannot fix it because of inadequate funding.

Mwidani made the site visit together with committee members Lucy Chireri, Mohamed Hatimy, Khamis Mwabashiri, Riziki Kitsao, Zainab Mumba, Jabess Oduor, Mohamed Ndanda, Amur Murfad, Amina Zuberi, Maimuna Mwawasi and Amir Thoya.

The report also observed that residents were complaining of flooding caused by blockage of the natural water course as a result of private developers erecting boundary walls.

Culverts overwhelmed

Mwidani confirmed that committee members saw a wall constructed right on the Mtopanga river crossing, which stops water from flowing in case of a storm thus making the culverts to become overwhelmed.

 “Members felt that the person who constructed the fence had ill-intentions and might end up grabbing the river’s riparian reserve,” read the report, which further stated that county law enforcement officers arrested the foreman in charge of the boundary wall construction.

Residents have also complained of blockage of a proposed road connecting one part of Mtopanga Estate to the road leading to the Mtopanga Mulji Estate, hence denying them easy access to the main road.

The report also said: “Sewage from Mtopanga Mulji Estate was seen flowing all over the place after the treatment works failed. The same is attributed to the deterioration of the main road at the crossing point near Mtopanga/Old Malindi road junction.

Mwindani said two workers found to be engaging in illegal connection of sewerage lines by allowing it flow to the road and adjacent areas were arrested.

Recommendations made

In their recommendations, the committee asked that the Department of Lands, Planning and Housing protects the Mtopanga river riparian way since it is the only way that storm water can leave the larger Kisauni area.

The committee further urged the county government to ensure all private developers, who have encroached on the riparian way leave, to immediately demolish their structures and allow the river to flow freely.