160 Kenyans killed by floods amid knee-jerk response from government
Six more people have been reported dead raising the official death toll to 160 people from the effect of the ongoing El Nino rains pounding the country while others have been marooned by waters and supplies cut-off amid knee-jerk response by the government.
However, fears are rife that the death toll could be significantly high with majority being unaccounted for.
During his address, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the deaths were reported in Kilifi where one person died while in Taita Taveta three deaths were reported and one in Narok and Homa Bay counties respectively.
Mwaura said a total of 529,120 people have been displaced from a household of 105,824 which has made the state set up nine more camps to accommodate the displaced persons in Homa Bay, Tana River, Migori, and Voi.
Tana River has added five more camps, Voi two while Migori and Homa Bay have one each.
He added that the Meteorological department says there will be continued rainfall in Central, Lake Region, South-Eastern region, and the Coast in this week.
“Weather forecasts indicate continued rainfall in the Central Highlands, Western Kenya. Lake Victoria Basin, South-Eastern lowlands, and the Coast this week (5th-11th December). Conversely, dry conditions are expected in North-Eastern and North-Western Kenya except Garissa where occasional rainfall is anticipated.” He stated.
The spokesperson said that infrastructure in some areas is still affected as some roads have been rendered impassable by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA).
“The impact on infrastructure is significant, with numerous roads rendered impassable, disrupting transportation of people and relief efforts. For instance, Ambalo, Laaqi, and Badan Rero areas of Sololo sub-county in Marsabit County are completely marooned.” He added.
He said that school infrastructure in at least 17 counties have also been affected by the heavy floods, namely; Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisii, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Samburu, Murang’a, Taita Taveta, Tana River and West Pokot.
Thirty-six schools have submerged, thirty have been rendered inaccessible, five are hosting displaced persons, twenty-eight are lacking learning and teaching materials due to destruction, and an additional sixteen schools have reported contaminated water sources.
Mwaura has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines, and stay informed about weather alerts, especially in flood-prone regions.
