Kenya's floods calamity: Death toll rises to 289 after 12 more reported

The death toll from flood-related incidents across the country has risen to 289 after 12 more people died in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Interior in an update on Tuesday morning, also disclosed an increase in the number of camps hosting affected households, from 163 to 187 across 25 counties.

"A cumulative 188 people have been reported injured while 75 people are currently missing," reads the update.

The recent flooding still ongoing in various parts of the country has affected 412, 336 people.

At least 57, 120 households have been displaced by the ongoing rains, impacting 285,600 people.

Some of the most affected counties over the last 24 hours are Tana River, Garissa, and Lamu as a result of the Tana Delta flooding due to heavy rains.

About 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods as learners start the second term of the school calendar this week.

"Some of the schools that have been adversely affected by the heavy rains and flooding will have their opening delayed as the National and County MultiAgency teams ensure that repairs are done to create a safe environment for students to resume learning," the statement reads.

Parents have also been urged to ensure the safety of the children to and from school between 6 am and 6 pm.

The Interior Ministry also highlighted that 53 cholera cases have been reported so far with the Ministry of Health together with the Kenya Red Cross conducting medical outreach programmes as well as cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Tana River and Marsabit Counties.

Risk assessment

Also, 30 public health officials have also been deployed for a risk assessment of all 167 internally displaced camps and evaluation of nutrition as well as safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) points

Some 62 health facilities have also been reported damaged across 11 counties.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu monitoring the state school infrastructure and the effects of floods in Nairobi County ahead of schools reopening on May 13, 2024. (Photo:X/MachoguEzekiel)

Approximately crops on 168, 092 acres of land have been destroyed and 8,722 livestock dead.

For safety measures, the Kithure Kindiki-led ministry announced that no vehicles will be allowed on bridges that have been considered unsafe for use and on roads that have been marked as risky.

All Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs have been ordered to keep watch of river and bridge crossings to sensitise on hazardous areas and curtail activities such as children swimming in flooded zones.

The ministry also noted that enhanced surveillance for vector-borne diseases is ongoing in all counties led by the Ministry of Health and livestock by the Directorate of Veterinary Services.

"1,200,000 livestock have been vaccinated against Rift Valley Fever and 450 sheep vaccinated against blue tongue disease," says the ministry.

Going further, a search mission continues at Maroro, Tana River County where seven died and bodies were recovered.

However, 13 people are still missing while 23 were rescued after a boat with 40 people capsized.

The government has also stated that essential food supplies of rice and beans totalling 1,226,400 kilogrammes have been distributed to support affected communities.

The communities are from Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Tana River, Kilifi, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Migori, Kajiado, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Muranga counties.

Weather outlook

Giving an update on the weather forecast, the Interior Ministry says that most regions in Kenya are forecasted to experience sunny intervals.

However, rainfall is forecasted to persist in 14 Counties in the Central region (Nyandarua, Nyeri, Muranga, Kiambu); Rift Valley (Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok); and Western (Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia).

Flooding is also expected in low-lying areas, riparian areas and urban areas while landslides/mudslides may occur in areas with steep slopes, escarpments and ravines.

Lakes Victoria and Baringo are projected to continue causing backflow and flooding of Counties in the Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo Basins.

Overflow of the Seven Forks Dams still exacerbates flooding in the Tana Delta and impacts Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu Counties.