Mombasa County has suffered from floods for several decades.
Coast residents can reduce flooding effects as they wait for appropriate technology to control natural causes of flooding. Here are three reasons why Mombasa is flood-prone:
1. Poor urban planning
Cities across the world suffer from poor planning. In Kenya, corruption has allowed people to develop in waterways. This hinders smooth flow of water, which in turn causes floods. Mombasa County should emulate what Nairobi County is doing. They have to demolish all building build on riparian land.
2. Height above sea level
Mombasa is a low-lying area adjacent to the Indian Ocean. This makes it a favourable flooding spot. Wherever there are strong tides, ocean water can be swept inland and cause floods.
3. Kenyan litter culture
The other reason why Mombasa city is prone to flooding is the litter culture. Kenyans, Mombasa residents included, have a barbaric litter culture. We dispose litter without minding where that plastic bag and container will end up. We have blocked the drainage systems in our cities. We pay this by the tasting the wrath of floods.
Despite the fact that we cannot raise Mombasa’s height above sea level, we can dispose litter appropriately and plan our cities accordingly.