Government reports that 238 people have lost their lives as a result of floods in the country
At least 238 people have so far lost their lives due to the ongoing heavy rains across the country which have led to floods.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura made the announcement on Tuesday saying 75 other people had also been reported missing, with 47,000 households already displaced by the floods nationwide.
Mwaura noted that Nairobi leads among counties with the most casualties with over 164,000 people reportedly affected.
Other counties hit hard by the rains are Makueni, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Bomet counties which have also experienced landslides.
Mwaura said the ongoing rains have led to massive destruction of property, infrastructure, and deaths of livestock, further leaving many people counting losses across the country.
“Villages have been marooned in Baringo and Nakuru and the railway line was also disrupted by landslide...7,000 acres were destroyed and 4,000 cattle swept,” Mwaura said.
“Masinga Dam is spilling...River Nyando has overflowed, disrupting transport and the road in Murang'a is blocked by a landslide.”
In line with the government’s order to postpone school reopening, Mwaura revealed that close to 600,000 learners have no schools to go back to since many institutions are either hosting IDPs or destroyed with toilets sunk and roofs blown off.
According to the government spokesperson, the government is committed to safeguarding the lives of those affected and is in the process of setting up houses to accommodate the IDPs.
“20,000 units will be put up in Nairobi where they will pay Ksh.3,000 rent as mortgage and the programme will also come to Kisumu,” he said.
“Nobody will go back to riparian areas (within) 30-metre radius; Urban planners take note.”
Mwaura further reiterated that multi-agency teams have been deployed and are helping to conduct rescues and distribution of food items.
“441 non-food items have been dispatched. KDF and NYSs are assisting in evacuation as NGAO leads evacuation to safer areas. Evacuation is humane as they are done during the day and temporary shelters are issued to affected families,” he said.
