The government on Tuesday directed 200 families living on the path of downstream Kijabe in Ruiru, Kiambu county to evacuate their residences by 6 pm today after growing concerns of more water accumulating in the railway area.
In a statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki said the urgent directive comes after reported structural vulnerabilities of the tunnels which are part of the railway infrastructure in the area.
He stated that the government has also directed urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avert loss of life in the area.
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The CS additionally pointed out that the government has instructed the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) to evacuate all persons whose residences are likely to be on the path of downstream stormwater in the event of a drainage system burst.
"Following reported structural vulnerabilities of other tunnels forming part of the Railway infrastructure in the Kijabe area, the Government has directed urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avert loss of life in the area as was the case last week.
"In the meantime, the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) is directed to evacuate all persons whose residences are likely to be on the path of downstream stormwater in the event of drainage system burst," the CS said.
He also noted that 86 families have moved to safer areas designated by the government as directed and assured members of the public affected by the directive that the government will help them find temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their habitual residences.
"Members of the public affected by this directive will be assisted to find temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their habitual residences," he added.
The CS was accompanied by Lari Member of Parliament (MP) Mburu Kahangara, security officials and members of the local community during the risk assessment and disaster risk mitigation duty trip.
