KenGen Urges Residents Near Masinga Dam To Relocate, Warns Of Potential Flooding During Heavy Rains

• KenGen’s managing director and CEO, Peter Njenga, said residents had been warned of possible overflow of the Masinga Dam
• Njenga said people residing in Mbondoni location, Kithecu, and Menguthe villages are at higher risk of the flood effects
• He elaborated that the upsurge has been caused by heavy downpours experienced in the country

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Tana River - The recent torrential downpours nationwide have caused a notable surge in water levels within Masinga Dam, surpassing its previous highest record set in May 2020 due to heavy rains in the country.

This increase is primarily attributed to a significant influx of water flowing into the dam, averaging more than 850 cubic meters per second over the past week due to heavy rainfall in the dam’s catchment area.

KenGen’s managing director and CEO, Peter Njenga, has underscored the company's prior warning regarding the potential overflow of the dam, urging communities in the vicinity to consider relocation.

“We thank those who took our warning seriously and moved to safer zones and urge those still residing near the dams and river Tana to heed the government’s call and move to safer grounds,” said Njenga.

Which communities will be affected by Masinga dam spillage?

Nevertheless, he reassured the public that the dam is structurally robust, and equipped with all necessary safety features to withstand the heightened water pressures, thereby mitigating the risk of bank breaches.

“We constantly monitor our dams’ structure and would wish to assure all Kenyans that the dam safety measures we have put in place along with our disaster preparedness help allay risks of the water breaching the walls of the dams,” added Njenga.

Njenga highlighted the vulnerability of Kenyans residing in the Mbondoni location, Kithecu, and Menguthe villages to the potential risks posed by the escalating water levels.

The dam is Kenya's largest hydroelectric power generator located in the Seven Forks Cascade.

Scores dead after floods sweep away cars in Mai Mahiu

Meanwhile, over 70 people were confirmed dead in Mai Mahiu after floods swept villages and cars along the Nairobi-Naivasha Road.

Several people were reported missing after the accident that sent shock into the country.

A survivor of the accident recounted a harrowing experience during the accident that forced them to escape through the roof.

What you need to know about flooding in Kenya

• Ruai-based commandant's car was swept by floods after heavy rains in Machakos county
• The death toll in the country as a result of floods hit 179 after 10 people died on Wednesday, May 1
• The tourism sector has been majorly affected as floods submerged major camps in the country

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke