El Nino rains continue to wreak havoc across Kenya

El Nino rains have killed at least 23 people and displaced thousands in the last few days. Most casualties occurred in Narok, where County Commissioner Magu Mutindika confirmed 21 have died so far. He appealed to residents in areas prone to floods to move to safer places to avoid further deaths.

A vehicle is washed away by flash flood in Narok town on 22nd November, 2015. A heavy downpour pounded the valley town and caused a nightmare to residents after one of the check dams upstream burst its wall. Three vehicles and several cows were swept away. (PHOTO: CHARLES NGENO/STANDARD)

Narok County has set up a disaster management committee to look into ways of mitigating the disaster. Governor Samuel Tunai has set aside Sh200 million to help the affected families. Several major roads in the region have also been rendered impassable.

And two people died in Busia County after a boat capsized in the flooded River Sio in Kadegi village, Matayos constituency, on Saturday.

The bodies of Ruth Ajuang’a, a Standard Seven pupil at Indoli Primary School, and Lawrence Odhiambo, a boda boda operator, are still missing.

Two passengers in the ill-fated boat survived. A two-year-old child was rescued by the boat operator.

And hundreds of acres of crops in Tigania West and Igembe North sub-counties have been destroyed by El Nino rains.

Residents of Rwanyambo village in Imenti North have been displaced after their homes were flooded.

Kibirichia Ward MCA Jacob Mwirigi led residents in digging trenches to drain the flooded water in Mujujune and Machaka slums.

Sections of Muriri-Mikinduri road in Tigania East sub-county were rendered impassable.

Hundreds of passengers travelling to Nairobi from Western Kenya via the Bomet-Narok-Mai Mahiu road were stranded for hours on Sunday after one of the check dams reportedly burst its walls, leading to flooded roads.

Vehicles and livestock were swept away and buildings destroyed as Narok town was marooned.

County Police Commander Abdi Galgalo cautioned residents to stay alert and avoid venturing into the flooded parts.

In the neighbouring Bomet County, 87 families were displaced in Chebirir village, Chepalungu after Nyongores River broke its banks, causing floods that submerged houses.

And more families were left homeless in Samburu County after their manyattas were swept away by floods.

The 600 victims have sought refuge at Lerata Primary School where Kenya Red Cross officials and the government has been providing them with food and shelter.

A section of domestic water supply pipe in Isiolo destroyed by floods.Four people are feared dead as floods cause havoc in town. Property worth millions on 21-11-2015 was destroyed around the town and its environs .Isiolo county commissioner Mr. George Natembeya urged residents to be alert and avoid crossing moving waters low lying areas. (PHOTO: BRUNO MUTUNGA)

In Kericho County, residents of Kamachugwa village in Kipkelion East constituency are living in fear after a huge rock rolled down the slope destroying homes after heavy rains.

The residents appealed to Governor Paul Chepkwony’s administration to facilitate them to relocate their families to safer ground.

Meanwhile, Kisumu County government will build houses for over 600 families in Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni sub-counties who were displaced by floods in the ongoing El Nino rains.

Over 1,000 people are currently living in different evacuation centres in Kaluore, Ogenya, Nyamasao, Ayweyo, Ombeyi, Ahero, Rae and Ombaka.

Governor Jack Ranguma has directed his administration take note of those whose houses were damaged so as to enable the county government make arrangements for the project, which will commence once the rains stop.

The families, mostly living along River Nyando, are counting losses worth millions of shillings after the raging floods swept across the villages destroying houses, crops and killing livestock.

Governor Ranguma, who visited the victims at the weekend to distribute food, bedding and drugs, promised that his government would collaborate with the national government to help the affected families.

County Executive for Health Ojwang Lusi, who accompanied the governor in assessing the areas, called on the flood victims to maintain high standards of sanitation to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Over 100 families in Mukhalanya village, Malava, Kakamega County, have been rendered homeless after their houses were submerged.

A boda boda operator rides across Loisokut Sub-Surface river at Daraja ya Mungu area, along the Nanyuki-Doldol road which flooded on Friday night, sweeping off a Laikipia County ambulance with a driver, John Sarioyo and a nurse, Ms Mary Chebet. Kenya Red Cross Society officials, police and members of the public launched a massive search for the bodies of the two, while the wreckage of the ambulance was recovered about 300 metres downstream on November 21, 2015.

(PHOTO: JOB WERU/STANDARD)

Budalang’i has not reported any casualties, thanks to the efforts of a disaster management team that was put in place by the Grand Coalition government that was led by former President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.