One person has been confirmed dead following flash floods at 360 Estate in Syokimau, Athi River Sub County, following heavy rains that pounded the area over the weekend.
Some 17 others were evacuated by a multi-agency team comprising the County Emergency Disaster Management Unit, the Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Operations Centre.
The 17 had been marooned after the River Athi burst its banks following a heavy downpour on Saturday night.
A temporary rescue centre has been set up at Kinanie dispensary to provide shelter to the affected people.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti called on residents living in flood prone areas to move to safer grounds to avert further loss of lives and property.
Wavinya also disclosed that emergency response teams had been activated to safely evacuate residents affected by flooding.
“I am requesting our people to kindly stay away from flooded rivers. However, we have put our joint teams on standby to be in a position to evacuate residents who may be at risk of the floods,” she said.
The governor, who spoke when she toured the area, said her government had mobilised both food and nonfood items for those seeking shelter at the rescue centre.
Wavinya also added that many of the drainages that had been clogged, leading to the flooding of the waters in Syokimau, had been cleared.
“We are also urging residents across the county to use the toll-free emergency call numbers to reach out for help,” she said.
Athi River Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Patrick Mwangi, said the collaborative effort between the county disaster committee and the Kenya Red Cross helped evacuate the stranded residents.
“The operation was very successful despite the many challenges of heavy rain,” said Mwangi.
By Roselyne Kavoo
