The government has distributed a total of 1,226,400 kilograms of essential food supplies consisting of rice and beans to families affected by the ongoing floods across the country.
Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura said that the food has been distributed to support the affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Tana River, Kilifi, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Migori, Kajiado, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Muranga Counties.
Speaking in Nairobi while giving an update on the ongoing floods, Mwaura said that 30 public health officials have also been deployed for a risk assessment of all 167 internally displaced camps and evaluation of safe drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) points.
“The flooding situation persists in most parts of the country, with the latest weather forecast indicating that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms will continue in 31 Counties. The affected regions include the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Central and the Eastern regions. Occasional rainfall is also forecasted in Nairobi and along the Coast region, affecting the Tana River, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu Counties,” explained Mwaura.
He added that Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo are predicted to continue causing backflow and flooding of the Counties in the Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo Basins.
Additionally, Mwaura said that continuous heavy rains in the Central region and the overflow of the Seven Forks Dams, pose the risk of increased flooding in the Tana Delta and the Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu Counties.
“These unfavorable weather conditions continue to impact varied sectors of our economy including transport, housing, education, health and agriculture. We are equally saddened by the rising death toll and we send our sincere condolences to the affected families and friends. As of today, we are mourning the loss of a total of 257 lives with 14 adults and the 5 children reported dead in the last 24 hours. A total 188 people have been injured, while 293, 661 people have been affected and 54,837 households have been displaced,” said Mwaura.
He said that 61 health facilities have been affected in 11 Counties and crops on approximately 9,816 acres of land have been destroyed.
“A total of 44 cholera cases have been reported so far, with the Ministry of Health together with the Kenya Red Cross conducting medical outreach programmes as well as cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Tana River and Marsabit Counties,” said Mwaura.
The government spokesperson said that several wash away incidents have been recorded, with adverse impacts on railway lines and train operations. This include the section between Thika and Nanyuki as well as within the Chemelil and Kibigori railway section on the Nakuru- Kisumu branch line. The Nairobi- Kisumu and Nairobi-Nanyuki long distance operations have also been affected as operations are yet to resume. Repair works are currently ongoing, with the Kenya Railways Authority targeting to open the affected lines by the end of May 2024.
“Additionally, 192 dams have been identified as high risk, following a national assessment of all dams. Consequently, varied evacuation exercises are being undertaken across the country, following a 24-hour evacuation notice, which was effective on May 2nd, and which was issued to settlements in 33 counties that are within 178 of high-risk dams and water reservoirs,” explained Mwaura.
He said that in Nairobi County, the households residing within the 30 meters riparian corridors and other water causes, are currently being evacuated for their safety and evacuation notices have also been given to all the residents in the areas prone to landslides and mudslides.
“Further notices have been given to those in the sections within the drainage pathways of the Kenya railway tunnels, to give way for the rehabilitation of the railway infrastructure,” said Mwaura.
He continued… “There are a number of search and rescue operations that are ongoing across the country, to relocate the affected individuals to higher ground and to provide the affected households with medical and related assistance.”
Mwaura added that the County governments, Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Red Cross have responded to emergencies and successfully evacuated residents in Kisumu, Narok, Machakos, Nakuru and Tana River Counties.
“We nevertheless, advise all Kenyans to stay safe and to adhere to the weather forecast and evacuation notices that are being provided by the government and other agencies. The affected individuals and families can also reach out for assistance through the emergency toll free line 0800721571,” said Mwaura.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
