By Abdimalik Hajir

GARISSA– Kenya Red Cross in Garissa have launched several initiatives aimed at combating perennial flood menace that has affected hundreds of farmers  River Tana.

The pilot project which is aimed at protecting riverine areas funded by the Netherlands government meant for recovery for farmers after devastating floods that has swept all farms on either side of the river.

The initiative includes placing 10,000 sand bags on the river bank to stop the river from eating to the farms as well as planting close to 10,000 bamboo seedlings.

According to Daud Ahmed Shale, the county coordinator the initiative is only targeting three farm groups out of many farmers along Tana River noting that it will go a long way in combating perennial floods that has left hundreds of farmers counting losses.

“Planting of Bamboo on the riverine is a long time program that we hope it will contained floods as well stop the river into eating up into the river because of its firm roots, it will also be used on other materials such as mats, making chairs, tables and carpets,” he told journalists.

The @KenyaRedCross , supported by the Netherlands government, has launched a flood mitigation project along River Tana in Garissa.

The initiative includes placing 10,000 sandbags, planting 10,000 bamboo seedlings, and providing farmers with solar panels, water pumps, and… pic.twitter.com/zhn6GPxAvo

— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) November 14, 2024

The three farm groups were also given solar panels, water pumps and piping systems to farms. The farms also benefit from floating pumps systems designed to make the pumps during intense flooding.

Daud said during flooding the farmers were faced with massive loss adding all of their farm equipment and products were completely washed away.

“It’s only big trees like mangoes that were left standing, all other crops were washed, the project is aimed at combating floods that has largely affected farmers across the River Tana,” he said.

Kenya Red Cross Northeastern chairman Abdinoor Hussein with section of farmers and other official at their Garissa branch.

Garissa Farmers Network Abdirahim Farah said the initiative will go a long way in helping farmers overcome the challenges that come with flooding adding that farmers have incurred huge losses during recent floods.

He called on both the national and county governments to invest in farming, adding that farms if managed well will not only secure food security but also create employment.

He asked for other donors to contribute to such an initiative saying the river extends to about 400km which has farms on either side.

“There is plenty of land, we only need deliberate intention by the government to heavily invest in farmers,” he added.

He decried trespass by livestock owners specially during drought saying most of the time they unleashed their livestock into their farms without any remorse.

Farmers were also given farm equipment such as wheelbarrow, spade, amongst others, the meeting was also attended by County Executive Committee member incharge of Agriculture Milgo Dubow.