16,883 have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Garissa County in the wake of heavy relentless rains lashing most parts of the country.
Confirming the statistics on Monday, May 6, the Kenya Red Cross has said Garissa is the hardest hit with 550 households displaced in 11 camps at at Hyuga Girls Primary School.
Humanitarian organizations have also mobilized resources, distributing crucial aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
“Today, we distributed food to 550 households affected by the ongoing floods and camping at Hyuga Girls Primary School in Garissa. Other essential items such as jerricans, soap, and household water treatment chemicals were also handed out, thanks to @UNICEFKenya,” Kenya Red Cross said.
Today, we distributed food to 550 households affected by the ongoing floods and camping at Hyuga Girls Primary School in Garissa.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) May 6, 2024
Other essential items such as jerricans, soap and household water treatment chemicals were also handed out, thanks to @UNICEFKenya.
Garissa County… pic.twitter.com/leUrjqun3Y
Garissa County flood situation
After River Tana burst its banks homes have been submerged by the overflowing floodwaters, roads have been cut off making it harder for residents to flee to higher grounds.
Two weeks ago, severe flash floods caused a section of the road at Kona Punda to become impassable, compelling locals to resort to boats to reach Garissa town.
Inhabitants of Bulla Punda, Kamor, Sheikh, Vumbi, Windsor, and Bulla Nyuki had to relocate to higher ground as floodwaters engulfed their homes.
Addressing the media on April 27, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama criticized the National Government for what he perceived as neglect.
He emphasized the lack of a solution to the recurring issue of large dams overflowing into homesteads.
Jama advocated for the construction of additional dams to divert excess water, preventing its destructive overflow into communities and jeopardizing lives and livelihoods.
“This water can be diverted with the creation of more other dams where they can release to without haphazardly letting it come to destroy peoples lives and livelihood,” Jama said.
Boat capsizes
On April 28, a boat en route from Kona Punda to Mororo along the Garissa-Madogo road capsized.
The Commanding Officer of Madogo County Station, James Tendeti, said that the rescued individuals had been taken to Bura Tana Hospital in Tana River County for necessary medical attention. The boat was helping people cross from areas cut off by floods due to the ongoing heavy rains.
Updates from the Kenya Red Cross revealed that several areas were inaccessible and residents could only access Garissa Town via boats.
