Nine more people have died in the last 72 hours due to ongoing floods bringing the death toll to 300.
In an update on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura noted that displaced persons have risen to 300,000, with Nairobi County accounting for 77 per cent of the affected individuals.
Mwaura faulted poor urban planning, constructing houses in riparian zones and inadequate drainage systems for the flash floods.
“It’s unfortunate the country has lost nearly 300 Kenyans since March 1, due to floods affecting every part of the country, in all 47 counties. Many people have been displaced, with more than 58,009 households affected, totalling about 300,000. Nairobi leads with 77 per cent of all those affected. This highlights the issue of urban planning that includes drainage systems, over and above the dangerous building of houses in riparian areas,” Mwaura stated.
PATRIOTISM: POLITICS OF FLOODING & EMERGENCY RESPONSE: WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE SO FAR:
— Dr. Isaac Mwaura CBS (@MwauraIsaac1) May 19, 2024
By ISAAC MWAURA
In Summary
•More than 37 counties have received more than 1.2 million kilogrammes of food
•There has been an increase in the accuracy of weather forecasting from the…
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, the spokesperson announced that the heavy rains had resulted in 75 people being reported missing across the country, and 188 others sustaining injuries.
Additionally, 64 healthcare facilities in 12 counties were damaged, and around 168,092 acres of land were destroyed.
Heavy rainfall to continue
The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasted increased rainfall for several regions, including the Central Highlands (covering Nairobi), Western Kenya, parts of the Northwest, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley.
According to their predictions, areas such as Machakos and Kajiado might see isolated heavy rains, whereas the rest of the country is likely to stay mostly dry.
In the upcoming days, heavy rainfall is expected in 31 counties.
These include Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Kiambu in Central Kenya; Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia in Western Kenya; Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Narok in the Rift Valley; Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisii, Migori, and Nyamira around Lake Victoria; and Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Machakos in the Eastern region, as well as Nairobi, as highlighted by Mwaura.
“In the coming days, isolated heavy rainfall is forecasted for 31 counties. These counties include Nyandarua, Nyeri, Muranga, and Kiambu in the Central region; Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia in Western Kenya; Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Narok in the Rift Valley; Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Kisii, Migori, and Nyamira in the Lake Victoria Basin; and Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Machakos in the Eastern region, as well as Nairobi,” Mwaura said on Thursday.
