By Agwanda Saye

The East Africa Law Society (EALS) wants the Government to control perennial floods that leave trails of death and misery.

EALS President James Aggrey Mwamu said that it was sad for the Government to watch as citizens drown and homesteads marooned after down pours.

“The right to life that is enshrined in Article 26 of the Constitution must not be taken for granted,” Mwamu said.

Mwamu said that it was disheartening that lives are being lost over floods even after the meteorological department announced the coming of long rains.

“We express concern at the dilatory in which the Ministry of Special Programmes is dealing with the floods issue,” Mwamu said.

The EALS President regretted that the Ministry of Special Programmes made no preparations to evacuate families from flood prone areas.

Mwamu said that the Government had capacity to control the ravaging floods in areas like Kano Plains in Kisumu County.

“Budalangi in Busia County experienced the worst floods in the history of this country but was controlled…why not other areas in the country,” Mwamu said.

Mwamu spoke as raging floods reportedly claimed human lives and displaced several families countrywide.

On Sunday night, raging waters killed four passengers in separate incidents in Kajiado North District.

“Raging floods leave a trail of death and misery especially to rural homesteads that leave from hands to mouth,” Mwamu said.

Recently four people were swept away and killed by raging floods in Taita Taveta and Tana River Counties as heavy rains pounded Coast Province.

The EALS President said that the Constitutional rights of families living in flood prone areas must be upheld.

“We demand urgent action towards fulfilling fundamental rights of families that are perpetually marooned and lose members over raging floods,” Mwamu said.

The EALS urged the Government to improve and act on disaster preparedness especially after early warning signs from the meteorological department.

Ends…..