Flood-related fatalities have hit 291 following two more deaths reported in the last 24 hours, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has announced.
Mwaura says 75 people are missing, and 188 have been injured.
Further, the ongoing floods have displaced 55,631 households, affecting approximately 278,155 individuals. Another 82,552 households, comprising about 412,763 persons, have been directly impacted.
This comes even as the Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that the Central Highlands, including Nairobi, Western Kenya, parts of Northwestern, the Lake Victoria Basin, and Rift Valley regions, will experience more rainfall.
The weatherman predicts that isolated heavy rainfall events may occur in Machakos and Kajiado, while the rest of the country is expected to remain generally dry.
“ln 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 stated.
Flood camps
The government has established 187 camps across 25 counties, hosting over 3,000 people affected by floods. Mwaura says 65,493 people have been integrated into the community following the Nairobi River evacuation exercise.
The government says 64 health facilities have been damaged in 12 counties, and approximately 168,092 acres of land have been destroyed.
There have been 53 reported cases of cholera in Nyeri, Tana River, and Marsabit while 54 cases of dysentery have been reported at the Nyeri GK Prisons.
“The Kimende area in Kiambu County has been declared a danger zone and cordoned off following a landslide. A multi-agency team, including the Kenya Defense Forces, National Government Administrative Officers, National Police Service, and the Red Cross, is conducting a risk assessment of surrounding areas. Search and rescue missions are also ongoing in Mathare North, Nairobi County, after a building collapse, with disaster management institutions engaged to ensure no one is trapped or injured,” Mwaura added.
The government is also conducting search and rescue operations along the Kijabe-Matathia road in Kiambu County following a massive landslide. Two people have been rescued, while three more are missing.
