16 more people killed as death toll from El Nino floods in Kenya rises to 136
Four counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have been identified as the worst hit by the floods.
The government has announced the death toll from El Nino floods has risen to 136.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Thursday announced 16 more people had died in the last 24 hours raising the fatalities arising from the deadly floods.
Omollo said the number of households displaced still remains at 92, 432 comprising 462, 160 persons.
Currently, four counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have been identified as the worst hit by the floods.
The PS said food distribution continues across the affected counties including airdrops to inaccessible areas.
Omollo revealed that 10 tonnes of assorted food items have been airlifted to Wajir while the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have also airdropped food items at Chebaso in Isiolo County.
"The Kotulo - Elwak road has been repaired by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and 36 trucks that were stuck carrying food and diesel for the last three weeks have now started moving to and from Wajir and Mandera," Omollo said.
Drone images of the current situation of Garissa town and a view of the IDP camp at the Young Muslim Secondary School. (Photo: Amin Abubakar)
"All major dams are being monitored but Kiambere has a meter remaining to overflow, we call on those downstream to move to higher ground even as the government enhances power generation to mitigate the challenge.”
The PS also warned of diarrheal cases in the counties of Lamu, Garissa, Kwale, Mandera and Wajir.
"The donation of cholera kits by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are being dispatched to 17 counties while mosquito nets will also be distributed to Isiolo County on Saturday," he said.
Omollo also revealed an outbreak of pneumonic cattle diseases.
"72 poultry, 12 cattle, 1,680 goats, 728 sheep and one camel have died," he said.
The Interior PS added that the government has also flown rescue boats from Mombasa to Garissa to assist in evacuation and relief efforts.
"We continue to urge wananchi to adhere to weather and flood alerts and take precaution so as not to risk injury or death through driving in flooded roads and crossing bulging rivers," said Omollo.
He said the National Disaster Operations Centre can be reached on 0202151053 or the Toll-free number 800721571 to report any emergency incidents.
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