Floods: Death toll at 219 as displaced persons relocated

Residents of Kware area in Embakasi South deserted their houses after floods rendered them inhabitable. [Robert Tomno, Standard]

The death toll from the ongoing heavy rains and flooding situation in the country has risen to 219 after nine more people died.

At least seventy-two persons are still missing and about one hundred and sixty-four (164) others have been injured since the onset of the rains in March.

The Ministry of Interior in the latest circular notified that some counties have suffered the effects of last night’s rains more than others including Nairobi, Machakos, Baringo, Kiambu, Bomet, Busia, Kilifi, Garissa, and Homa Bay counties.

“There has been an increase in landslides and mudslides having occurred in West Pokot, Embu, Machakos, Makueni, and Nakuru counties,” the Ministry said on Saturday, May 4.

More than 27,000 people who were displaced have however been relocated and set up at camps provided for by the government across nineteen (19) counties.

“206,240 people have been displaced with the government setting up 115 camps across 19 counties currently hosting 27,856 people. Essential food supplies of rice and beans totaling 1,226,400 Kgs have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Tana River, Kilifi, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Migori, Kajiado, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Muranga counties.”

Government continues to assess the damage on roads and ensure normalcy resumes.

Kenyans have been urged to exercise more caution as they travel to avert dangerous situations.