Continued rains in Kenya continue to cause widespread and devastating floods in the western and eastern counties, which have resulted in the movement of up to 32,000 people from March 2020 to the present, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). The death toll from massive landslides and floods in Elgeio Maraquette and Western Pokot has increased from six to 29, President Uhuru Kenyata confirmed on April 26.
In western Kenya, more than 1,000 families were displaced by flooding along Lake Victoria’s shoreline in Homa Bay County. Several families have left their flooded homes in Nyando and Kisumu, added the KRKS. In Shiaya County, the spilled Nzoyya River destroyed farms as well as displaced families in Wsong.
In the south-east of the country, the Tana River overflowed the banks, with the result that about 300 families were homeless in the district, the Kenyan Air Force Broadcasting Corporation said. A flood struck the village of Yariro in the county of Garissa, capturing more than 50 people who were eventually saved. Floods have been reported in Kilifi County.
Since the beginning of heavy rains in March, up to 32,000 people have been displaced throughout the country. Affected people either remain in neighboring communities or seek refuge in temporary evacuation centers.
In addition to flooding, residents have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Among the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, these movements pose a problem to maintain physical distance and can make victims vulnerable to infection,” said KRC.
“Kisumu County and the nation as a whole are going through probably the most difficult time in our history of independence,” said Kisumu County Governor Anyang ‘Nyongo.
“Never before have we had to deal with multiple disasters at the same time and with far-reaching consequences for the population, as is happening today. Indeed, this is unprecedented.”
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