The county government of Uasin-Gishu has commenced efforts aimed at improving the drainage system in Eldoret town.
Speaking on Friday, the transport and public works committee chairman Isaac Chirchir attributes the move to the latest meteorological forecast of long rains in the region. According to him, the move will help curb flooding within the central business district of the town which has been experienced in the recent past.
“With the anticipated rains we cannot take a gamble. We are working on ensuring that all the drainage systems within the CBD are working," he said.
Chirchir went further and said that poor planning is a major cause of drainage problems in the busy town. He then cautioned developers from encroaching on drainage channels saying that such structures will be pulled down.
“We have always had problems due to poor planning in the town. The reason why we have been experiencing floods is that we lack clear water passages within the CBD. Owners of encroachments on drainage channels have also been warned that their structures will be pulled down”, he added.
He urged the finance department to fast track the release of finances meant for the project.
This comes as the Kenya Meteorological Department maintains that there is a probability of long rains that may start from this month to December.