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Kenya floods: Death toll reaches 229, number of IDP camps now 167

President William Ruto visits the Kiamaiko area in Mathare, Nairobi, to assess the flood situation, on May 6, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 06 May 2024

The number of camps set up to shelter people displaced by floods across the country has increased to 167 across 22 counties, while the death toll has increased by one in the last 24 hours to 229.

In a statement on Monday, the Interior ministry added that a total of 174 people had been reported injured. At least 75 people were missing, while 46,937 families, or 234,685 people were displaced.

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The ministry also gave an update on tropical Cyclone Hidaya, noting that heavy rainfall, an aftereffect, was expected offshore and further inland along the coast, with strong winds and large waves already experienced in Kwale County.

Going further, the ministry led by Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that most parts of the North West region (Turkana, Samburu, and Marsabit), the North Eastern (Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera), and the South Eastern (Taita, Taveta, and Tana River) regions would be generally dry.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were expected in 20 counties in the Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, and Homa Bay), the Central region (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, and Nyandarua), the Coast (Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu), and Western (Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia).

The ministry further said flooding was expected in low-lying, riparian, and urban areas, while landslides and mudslides would likely occur in parts with steep slopes, escarpments, and ravines.

Occasional rainfall was forecasted for the Eastern region (Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru), the Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Narok, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Baringo), and Nairobi.

The Government stands with the victims of floods across the country. We will supply enough food and bedding besides offering safe settlement to the 40,000 displaced households. We have also allocated KSh1 billion to rebuild schools so that our children can resume their studies in… pic.twitter.com/zG8jRdv6Y1
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 6, 2024

A 24-hour evacuation notice, effective May 2, 2024, was issued to settlements in 33 counties near 178 high-risk dams and water reservoirs after the government classed 192 of them as very dangerous.

Some Nairobi residents relocated voluntarily, and President William Ruto announced on Monday that the 40,000 evacuated families in the city would receive Sh10,000 monthly from the government.

"We are going to provide them with Sh10,000 for alternative settlement until the government comes up with a comprehensive plan on how their lives will continue," the president said while visiting Kiamaiko in Mathare Sub-county, Nairobi.