The Kenya Red Cross has dispatched a rescue team to assess the condition in different parts of Nairobi, following heavy rains that have caused flooding in several parts of the city.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Kenya Red Cross said the team would initiate search and rescue operations if need be.
“After heavy downpours in various parts of Nairobi last night, our Nairobi Red Cross Branch team has been dispatched to conduct assessments in most of the affected areas and, if needed, initiate search and rescue operations,” the Kenya Red Cross stated.
As of Wednesday morning, several residential areas and roads were submerged in flood waters including Mathare, Thika Road, Kahawa Sukari, Kahawa West, Kitengela, Syokimau, Juja, Ruiru
In Mathare slums, the search for six individuals reported missing was temporarily suspended due to severe flooding.
Traffic on Kitengela Road was diverted to Makadara Road after Athi River broke its banks, submerging the bridge.
Two trees fell on Moi Avenue next to Imenti House in the Nairobi CBD in the wee hours of Wednesday, blocking the entire road.
The County Government of Nairobi later removed the trees.
Apart from Nairobi, heavy rains have brought deadly flooding to several parts of Kenya in the past three months.
The intense rainfall has affected various regions in Kenya, including the Coastal area, Central areas including Nairobi, the Western Highlands, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern regions.
Since the onset of the March-April-May (MAM) rains, multiple counties have felt its effects, resulting in households being affected, displacements, establishment of displacement camps, submerged arable land, impacted businesses and livestock deaths.
The Kenya Red Cross Society has reported that as of April 22, 2024, a total of 23 Counties have so far been affected by floods.
According to Society, 24,741 households have been impacted by flooding across the country while 11,206 households have been displaced.
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