Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has pleaded with Kenyans to heed all safety directives issued by the national and county governments on the ongoing floods to avert further loss of lives.

This he said during a visit to Mai Mahiu, Naivasha Constituency where he confirmed that 45 people have lost their lives following a Monday morning flash floods.

He therefore implored Kenyans to follow any directive given by authorities, noting that the nation cannot afford to lose more lives at the expense of disregard.

"With much respect I urge Kenyans this is not a joke anymore like the one we talk about on social media. These are the lives of people," he said.

"When we ask you to move to a particular place please move. When we tell you not to cross some roads, rivers and other places you have been warned to look out for kindly do so and help the nation to tame this crisis."

CS Murkomen further noted that the government and other multi-agency teams are ready to partner with county governments to help in the search and rescue mission in the area and other affected areas across the country.

"Food items and water are on the way," he noted.

The death toll from floods continues to rise as rivers break their banks and more infrastructures suffer damage.

At press time authorities had not yet issued an official confirmation on the number of deaths.