Home / National

Five missing, 14 people rescued after Athi River bursts banks

A broken bridge within the flooded area of Mukuru kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi County on April 21, 2024. (Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 22 Apr 2024

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, 43 out of 47 counties in the country were expected to receive heavy rainfall, from April 16 to April 22.

At least 14 people have been rescued in Kinanie, Machakos County after the Athi River broke its banks.

Red Cross Society in a statement on Sunday said 19 people marooned in the area after the river broke its banks.

Keep reading

"So far, we have managed to rescue 14 people— 10 adults and four children—as efforts to rescue five others continue," the Red Cross said.

A multi-agency response team, which includes the Kenya Red Cross and the Machakos County Government of Machakos is engaged in the rescue efforts.

At the same time, the Nairobi Red Cross branch has dispatched its team to carry out assessments in four areas following Saturday's heavy rains.

The areas which include Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Fuata Nyayo, Land Mawe and Mukuru Kayaba have been heavily affected by floods.

Heavy rains have continued to wreak havoc leaving a trail of destruction in their wake in most parts of the country.

A flooded section in the middle of Nairobi's Mukuru kwa Njenga slums following heavy rains in the area. (Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

As of April 18, 2024, the Red Cross had reported that the number of people impacted by the March-May long rains was estimated at 103,485 people (20, 697 households) affected including 40,265 people (8,053 households) displaced.

It also recorded 32 deaths, and 15 injured across the country.

In Nairobi County, 31,015 people (6,203 households) in the informal settlements of Kware, Kibra, Viwandani, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kayole, and Mukuru Kwa Reuben have so far been affected by flooding due to poor and blocked drainage systems.

"Most of those affected have reintegrated within their communities, accommodated by relatives and friends while others are renting out places to stay," said the Red Cross.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, 43 out of 47 counties in the country were expected to receive heavy rainfall, from April 16 to April 22.

"Rainfall to persist across various regions with heavy downpours expected in Central Highlands, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, South-eastern lowlands, Coast, and North-eastern Kenya," Kenya Met said in an update on Saturday.