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Kenya braces for more rain as flooding death toll climbs to 76

Red Cross volunteers evacuating residents whose houses have submerged by floods water in

By Barack Oduor | 27 Apr 2024

The government has now warned Kenyans to be careful following fresh revelations by the Kenya Meteorological Department that heavier rainfall is still expected in most parts of the country.

Six more Kenyans have lost their lives in the ongoing countrywide flooding bringing the total number of people who have lost their lives to 76.

The government has now warned Kenyans to be careful following fresh revelations by the Kenya Meteorological Department that heavier rainfall is still expected in most parts of the country.

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Government Spokesperson Issac Mwaura in a press conference attended by the government disaster preparedness team said heavy rains are still expected in the Rift Valley, highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, including the Nairobi area, Southeast Lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin, and the Coastal region.

"Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods, and poor visibility," said Mwaura.

In the last 12 hours, 29 Kenyans have been injured, and 19 missing persons have been reported. Nairobi is currently experiencing the highest impact, with a significant death toll of 32 and 16,909 households displaced.

Mwaura said the Kenya Coast Guard, National Police Service, and Kenya Defense Forces are collaborating to step up search and rescue services.

"The Government is currently assessing the damage to infrastructure, including roads and other installations. Sections of various roads have been affected across the country, including
10km of the Modogashe - Habaswein road, 15km of the Modika-Dadaab road, 1km of the North Horr- Kalacha road, 10 km of the Namanga - Amboseli road, 20 km of the Isinya—Konza road, 20 km of the Kamukuru - Elnagata road, 20 km of the Elnagata -Kajiado road, and 3 km of the Oltepesi-Magadi road, with the framework contractors currently on site."

UPDATE on the Floods situation, and the National Emergency Response from the National Disaster Operations Centre on 27th April 2024. pic.twitter.com/sTpbyeTRZM
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) April 27, 2024

In the wake of its destruction, the floods have submerged numerous settlements, displacing 24,196 households, comprising approximately 131,450 people, and endangering others.

The government announced its collaboration with its humanitarian partners including the Red Cross and have set up 50 camps across the country. It is also identifying higher grounds to house the displaced people temporarily.

Kenyans residing in flood-prone areas, especially along riparian areas and river banks are advised to seek safer alternatives for immediate habitation.

"All the dams under the Seven Forks Dams are now at full capacity, and there is a prediction of a massive overflow downstream within the next days," added Mwaura.