Kenya's floods death toll rises by nine to 228

Nine people - seven adults and two children - have died in the last 24 hours as a result of flooding across the country, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said.

This now puts the country's death toll at 228.

In a statement on Sunday, Mwaura revealed that 72 people countrywide are currently missing, out of which 51 are from Mai Mahiu.

A cumulative of 164 people have been reported injured including 52 others from the Mai Mahiu incident.

A total of 42,526 households have been displaced by floods, affecting approximately 212,630 people with 138 camps set up across 18 counties hosting 62,061 people.

"Approximately 227,238 people have been impacted by the heavy rains while a total of 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods," Mwaura said.

Flood-hit counties

He added that Mandera, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kajiado and Homabay are the worst hit counties by the ongoing floods, suffering from extensive flooding and significant disruption of daily lives and economic activities.

Counties such as Marsabit, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Kisumu, Nakuru, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Nairobi, Wajir, Mandera, Bomet, Kajiado, Embu and Nyeri have also suffered from flooding in the last 24 hours.

Landslides and mudslides have occurred in West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kericho and Makueni counties.

Following a nationwide assessment of all dams, the government has said 192 dams have been identified to be high risk. They include 60 in Central, Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).

Earlier today, we responded to a distress call in Malaa, Machakos, evacuating 17 people—8 adults and 9 minors—who were surrounded by floodwaters.

The families are currently being hosted by neighbours. pic.twitter.com/GQ73x6xunr

— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) May 4, 2024

Mwaura said 1,967 schools have also been affected by the floods. The President earlier this week postponed until further notice the reopening of schools which had been slated for Monday.

The Kenya Coast Guard Service has been put on high alert and positioned in Kisumu, Tana River, Garissa, Kilifi and Nairobi counties to offer required assistance.

The spokesperson said emergency response teams from Narok County alongside the County Security team and Red Cross have successfully evacuated 90 individuals in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed.

"No fatalities reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate," he said.

KDF deployment

The government has also deployed 151 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County following the mudslide tragedy where 58 deceased persons have been retrieved, 41 of whom have been positively identified and families duly informed.

Despite ongoing rains, the search efforts have intensified, with 32 people still missing. The national and Nakuru County governments have begun relocating victims from the Ngeya Secondary IDP camp to rented houses and a nearby children's home.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika commended the KDF officers' support, which has enabled the recovery of more bodies.

"We shall be holding a memorial service next week for the victims, and the government will support the burial exercise," she said.

The county has rented houses for 56 households, and a children's home will accommodate the rest.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari urged Kenyans to heed government directives and move away from flooded areas.

"This is a national tragedy, and we should join hands in supporting the affected and ensuring we move away from waterways to avoid more deaths," she said. Naivasha MP Jane Kihara expressed concern over rising water levels, particularly the Magena dam's filling.

Bishop Ben Kiengei from JCM Church cautioned against driving or walking through flooded sections, urging Kenyans to prioritise safety and avoid unnecessary deaths.

KDF were similarly deployed to Joska, Machakos County on the Athi River bridge.

"The rescue operation has ended having recorded no fatalities and 59 people rescued," he said.

However, a search mission continues at Maroro, Tana River County where seven deceased persons have been recovered, 13 people are still missing and 23 people have been rescued after a boat with 40 people capsized.

Further, 400 National Youth Service (NYS) have also been deployed to reinforce the ongoing search and rescue operations while the National Police Service, National Disaster Operation Managers, Public Health Officers and Ambulance Service Providers are on-site in each of the emergency locations.

Mwaura reiterated that all persons residing within the 30-metre riparian corridor of rivers and other water courses across the country need to vacate immediately for their safety.

Meanwhile, mandatory evacuation along rivers in Nairobi County (Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi Rivers) is ongoing.

"The Government is facilitating logistical support, temporary shelter and essential supplies to those affected," he said.

Essential food supplies of rice and beans totalling 1,226,400 kgs have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Tana River, Kilifi, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Migori, Kajiado, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Muranga Counties.

"The Ministry of Health together with the Kenya Red Cross are conducting medical outreach programmes as well as cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Tana River and Marsabit Counties," Mwaura said.

Thirty public health officials have also been deployed for a risk assessment of all 138 internally displaced camps.