Shock as River Tana changes course

More than 35,000 people in Tana Delta who depend on Tana River for their domestic use and for their livestock got a rude shock after the river changed its course at Kibusu, seven kilometres from Garsen town.

Residents of nine locations who depend on the river were likely to suffer if an immediate solution was not found, warned the area district commissioner, Mr Charles Monari.

The affected locations include Chara, Ngao, Wachu Oda, Konemansa, Ozi, Kipao, Kibusu and Galili.

The river is said to have changed the course after recent flooding.

Mr Monari said Ngao Sub-District Hospital, Tarasaa High School, Ngao Girl’s Secondary School and Arap Moi Primary School could be closed because of a water shortage.

He said as a stop-gap measure, the Coast Water Service Board and Arid Lands Resource Management Project, a department in the Office of the President, had donated three tankers to supply water to the affected hospital and schools.

“We have received two water bowsers from Coast Water Services Board and another one from the Office of the President to supply water to affected institutions,” said Mr Monari.

But the administrator made an appeal to other well-wishers for assistance, saying the three bowsers were not enough to meet the water needs.