Six swept away, more displaced by flash floods

Motorists wade through a flooded section of a road at Westgate, Westlands.  Most parts of the city received heavy rains Tuesday afternoon. [Photo: Felix Kavi/Standard]

 

By Kipchumba Kemei and Mangoa Mosota

Kenya: Six people are feared dead after their matatu was swept away by flash floods in Narok South.

Three people in a vehicle crossing a bridge at Ole Polos in Ololulung’a area survived after they swam to safety.

The overloaded vehicle, according to Narok South DC Chimwaga Mongo, was swept away at the swollen Ole Polos Bridge.

“The overloaded vehicle was swept away by raging waters as it was crossing the bridge. The six were trapped inside it. The survivors swam to safety,” said Mongo who added it was difficult for police divers and the public to locate the ill-fated vehicle because of poor visibility occasioned by heavy rains and high water levels. Rescue operations resume today.

Engine went off

A witness, who declined to be named, said the driver tried to navigate through the bridge whose water level was high but the engine went off.

Narok police boss Peterson Maelo asked people living in flood prone areas to move as rains continue to pound.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people in Kisumu County have been displaced by floods, a preliminary report by the Kenya Red Cross Society shows.

The findings indicate 330 households have been affected by floods in the last three days.

“We are on a high alert as there is imminent high rainfall this month in several areas of west Kenya,” Regional Health Officer Benson Simba said.

Mr Simba said they expect more than the usual rains in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Kisii, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga counties. He expressed fear over 7,000 people would be displaced.

In Kisumu, four schools have been marooned including Kassagam primary and secondary schools, St Alloys Primary and St Joseph Secondary.

Unprecedented damage

“Several rivers like River Auji and Nyamasaria in Kisumu have broken their banks causing unprecedented damage. Several houses have been marooned and many people affected,” the report said.

The official said no deaths have been reported in western, but there has been destruction of infrastructure and farmlands.

He said they are setting up camps to assist displaced families. In addition, the organisation is providing basic items such as s food, medicine and blankets.

KRC has already issued an alert to motorists plying Kisumu-Ahero road due to fears that a temporary bridge at Nyamasaria River might collapse.