NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has issued an urgent evacuation order for residents living downstream of Kiambere Dam as water levels breach critical thresholds, raising fears of devastating floods in the coming days.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Friday said the dam—part of the Seven Forks hydropower cascade and the final reservoir in the system—has exceeded its full supply level due to prolonged rainfall over the Mt Kenya and Aberdare catchment areas.
“We hereby issue an immediate voluntary evacuation directive to all communities living downstream of the multipurpose reservoir,” PS Omollo said in a statement.
He warned that residents in Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and other low-lying parts of the Lower Tana River basin are most at risk and must relocate to higher ground without delay.
Government Activates Emergency Protocols
With heavy rainfall forecast to continue between May 16 and May 20, the government has activated emergency response teams in coordination with KenGen, the National Disaster Operations Centre, and local disaster management units.
Controlled spillage is already underway to protect the structural integrity of the dam.
“All available resources are being deployed to avert potential loss of life,” Omollo said, adding that public schools, churches, and other government buildings are being converted into temporary shelters.
Public health officers have also been mobilised to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced families, including food, clean water, and basic medical support.
Masinga Dam Also Overflows
The alert comes as water levels at Masinga Dam—upstream of Kiambere—also exceed safe limits.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said inflows into the dam had surged to 253.81 cubic metres per second, pushing the reservoir to 1,057.15 metres above sea level—well above its safe capacity of 1,056.5 metres.
“Further rainfall could worsen the situation,” PS Wachira warned, confirming that emergency protocols have been triggered in conjunction with local authorities.
Both PSs urged the public to remain alert and follow directives issued by regional administrators and disaster response units.
