Lamu,KENYA:Three people were killed in separate incidents by raging floods in Hongwe and Bomani villages in Mpeketoni last week.
Two were killed as they attempted to swim in the flooded waters while another drowned while fishing in a flooded river over the weekend.
Subsequently, the county administration has warned residents against swimming in flooded ponds and rivers.
Speaking in Lamu on Monday,Lamu county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri who confirmed the incident warned locals against swimming across flooded waters.
Kanyiri said the three deaths would have been averted had they taken measures to stay away from the fast flood waters.
He said his office would apprehend anyone who deliberately endangered their own lives and have them charged with the same.
“Can you imagine,despite their obvious risk,people have been swimming in flooded ponds and rivers and also fishing there.We have already lost three people.This trend must stop and to drive the message home,we shall arrest anyone who puts their life in danger and we will charge you for it.Your life is not just your business,its ours too.Lets not lose any more lives because of things we can avoid,”said Kanyiri.
The county commissioner said the national government shall continue to issue humanitarian assistance to all those affected by floods in the county.
Kanyiri has also appealed to locals in low-lying areas that can easily flood to move to safer areas until the rainy seasons ends.
Over 4000 people have been directly affected by floods in Lamu many of which have been left homeless after their homes were swept away by raging floods.
However an emergency camp set up at Nagele area by the National government in coordination with the Red Cross to help flood victims still remains unoccupied as the affected persons refuse to heed calls to move to camp and remain holed up in flooded villages.
