Ongoing construction at Shibale bridge in Matungu sub county. The bridge was washed away after River Nzoia broke its banks cutting off transport on the Kakamega-Bungoma road. [Nathan Ochunge/Standard]

The total number of deaths from floods now stands at 219 after 25 more people lost their lives in the last 24 hours.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said 25 people have lost their lives countrywide with more than 58,000 people displaced from their homes.

“We have lost 25 people in the last 24 hours due to flash floods. The most affected areas are around River Nyando, River Nzoia and River Tana among others. The rains will continue until the end of June this year and therefore people living along river banks should move to safer grounds,” said Wamalwa.

More than 3,300 acres of cash crops have also been washed away and 1,586 houses swept away. Additionally, three health centres and three schools have also been destroyed.

CS Wamalwa spoke yesterday at Chepsai Primary School in Lugari constituency Kakamega County while making food donations to more than 4,000 people displaced by the raging water of swollen rivers in Kakamega County.

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The victims received rice, mattresses, blankets, facemasks, hand sanitisers and soap.

He was accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, his Busia counterpart Sospeter Ojaamong’ and senator Cleophas Malala among other local leaders.

CS Wamalwa said the Government has enough food in its reserves to help affected families and was only awaiting a fact-finding mission to ascertain the need.

“We are taking stock of affected families before the Government can embark on national distribution of food stuffs and non-food items to the victims,” said Wamalwa.

Wamalwa said the Government is considering helping the victims of flash floods rebuild their homes as well as relocating them permanently as a mitigation measure.

Mr Oparanya said the over 4,000 people who have been displaced by floods in Kakamega County will start receiving money from Monday which will be wired to their mobile phones.

“We have taken the data all the affected people nationwide. We have set aside enough money in our emergency kitty, which will be wired directly to their mobile phones,” said Oparanya.