Thread by @DisasterKenya

A genius, CS Eugene Wamalwa, is considering reviewing Nyando's designation, into a hardship area, citing factors including the perennial flooding in the region. Thread @RasnaWarah @mlimakenya @alaminkimathi @ajfactual52 @johnnjenga @Ibrahimjohnny @chothep
nation.africa/kenya/counties…

If flooding is one of the key factors driving the decision, then we indeed have a big problem in Kenya. That of lack of proactivity, poor priorities, bad governance & myopic leadership, top to bottom. @SimbaTirima @siambiliki @solo_ambuku @mlimakenya @BasilioCC @JerotichSeii

From a Disaster Mgmt perspective, flooding is not a problem, the problem is we the docile people. A Govt that is indifferent, myopic & our stupid leadership. Haven't we known the flood consequences, for 56 years & failed to make decisions on undertaking proper flood response?

Flood response operations are nothing new, they involve interpretation of flood information, identification of
possible flood consequences, making strategic decisions, coordinating resources to undertake flood response, transition to recovery & stringent reviews. @solo_ambuku

Flood response operations, like other hazard mgmt operations, are best conducted using a comprehensive approach to Disaster Mgmt. This incorporates:
• Prevention,
• Preparedness,
• Response,
• Resilience &
• Recovery.
All of which are nothing near rocket science.

Despite the beneficial environmental impacts they create, floods impose substantial economic, social & environmental costs on communities & Govt thro various damages. Why is it that we have never looked at addressing such problems ?

Flooding is a highly manageable hazard where flood risk can be defined,appropriate emergency prep'dness & mitigation strategies developed. Floods happen often in Kenya & Nyando for that matter, according to a regular seasonal rhythm. Why then has the problem never been addressed?

Their location is predictable and there is usually some warning of their occurrence. Often it is possible to determine who will be affected, what problems will be encountered as far as warning, evacuation, property protection, rescue, resupply & other functions are concerned.

That said, why then would CS Wamalwa want to declare Nyando a hardship are, using a manageable problem like flooding albeit the perennial nature ? Would that solve the problem & not sweep it under the carpet ?

Much is be known about floods & likely consequences before they occurs. Because of this, the opportunity exists to work out in advance (ie planning) how they can be best managed in the interests of maximizing public safety. So what is CS Wamalwa, telling us about his pedigree?

To reduce the negative impacts of flooding, many measures have been devised to help communities adjust to & live with the flood hazard. These measures have included:
• Constructing levees, flood bypasses, channel improvements, detention basins & flood mitigation dams,

• Instituting land use controls (such as zoning & the removal of existing buildings) and building restrictions (such as establishing minimum floor levels & raising buildings) in relation to development on flood-prone land.

• Developing warning systems,
• Developing response and recovery capabilities, and
• encouraging community understanding of both the flood threat & the means by which people can manage it.
Declaring Nyando a hardship area isn't the solution here.

While these measures rarely remove the flood risk entirely, they can modify flooding characteristics, alter communities in ways that reduce impact of floodwaters & provide enabling mechanisms to cope better with flooding. Not desk declarations, showing ones utter stupidity.

Preparing for floods through flood emergency planning, exercising & community engagement, for example enables a proactive response to flooding to be made. Responses to are best conducted when these tools have been well developed. So can Wamalwa lead the way towards developing em?

Can CS Wamalwa seek to set out the principles of flood response whether or not the tools of preparation have been developed, instead of showing us how stupid he is ?

High-quality flood response makes a real contribution to the task of reducing costs, economic hardships etc, which floods impose. To that extent it contributes significantly to the processes of building community resilience against the flood hazard. @threadreaderapp unroll