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Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit among counties to be affected by flash floods

Red Cross workers wade through floods in North Eastern Kenya in September 2023. (Photo: Handout)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Thursday, April 11, 2024

Hundreds of families have so far been affected by floods in Nairobi, Baringo, Mwea, Tana River, and Kirinyaga since the onset of the long rain season.

Kenya Red Cross has identified four areas to watch as Kenya continues to experience heavy rains.

Ahmed Idris, Secretary General Kenya Red Cross Society on Wednesday noted that they are concerned that Marsabit, Moyale, Garissa, and Wajir areas will be affected by flash floods.

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“There are four areas we are concerned about where it hasn’t rained and might be affected by flash floods. Communities from, Marsabit, Moyale, Garissa, and Wajir are likely to be affected by fast-moving waters,” he said.

Already some of the areas have started witnessing the effects of floods.

On Tuesday, people travelling on the Garissa-Nairobi road found themselves stranded in the Tula and Arer areas in Bangale sub-county, Tana River county. Floodwaters had blocked two parts of the road.

This was the second time in five months that the road had been blocked after heavy rains from El Nino damaged it in December.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) had temporarily fixed the road to keep traffic moving smoothly on this highway, the main route in and out of the North Eastern region.

Going further, the Red Cross also noted that they have registered over nine counties affected by the ongoing rains despite not reaching the peak of the rains.

“We are concerned about landslides and flash floods. We are anticipating we will reach the peak of the floods and displacement towards the end of the month,” Idris stated.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department's weather forecast, the rains are expected to peak after the season.

Looking at the impacts, the Red Cross noted that areas likely to be affected by landslides include the Central region, Elgeyo Marakwet, and some highland areas.

Idris also noted that with the increase in water levels around the lake region, areas likely to be affected from Western Kenya include Busia, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisumu.

Hundreds of families have so far been affected by floods in Nairobi, Baringo, Mwea, Tana River, and Kirinyaga since the onset of the long rain season.

The weather forecast for this week predicts that many areas across the country will experience heavy rain, according to the latest update from the weather service. This information is from the Kenya Meteorological Department's five-day forecast, covering April 9 to April 13.

The forecast also indicates that temperatures in some counties, especially those in Northeastern Kenya, will rise above 30 degrees Celsius.