Floods: Death toll rises to 257 after 19 more people killed in 24 hours

A total of 19 people died in the last 24 hours due to the ongoing floods ravaging most parts of Kenya, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 257.

Out of the 19 deceased persons, 14 were adults while 5 were children, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura announced on Wednesday.

He added that 188 people have been injured by the torrential rains, while a further 293, 661 have been affected by the downpour and 54,837 households displaced.

"The flooding situation persists in most parts of the country, with the latest weather forecast indicating that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms will continue in 31 Counties," said Mwaura.

"The affected regions include the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Central and the Eastern regions. Occasional rainfall is also forecasted in Nairobi and along the Coast region, affecting the Tana River, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu Counties.”

He added that Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo are expected to continue overflowing and flooding areas within their vicinity, further asserting that heavy rains in the Central region and overflowing Seven Forks Dams could lead to more flooding in the Tana Delta, Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu counties.

Additionally, 61 health facilities have been affected by the floods in 11 Counties and crops on approximately 9,816 acres of land have been destroyed.

A total of 44 Cholera cases have also been reported so far, with the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Red Cross conducting medical outreach programmes as well as cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Tana River and Marsabit counties.

"The government is therefore, mobilizing resources to address the critical roads sections and to restore safe travel,” stated the Government Spokesperson.

“In the meantime, we advise all road users to exercise caution while using the roads especially in Nairobi and urban areas, in Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley and Eastern regions as well as the Coast, Central and North Eastern regions, where there has been considerable infrastructural damage."