Government maps 59 flood-prone areas in Tana River county as 18 deaths recorded nationwide

The Ministry of Interior said on Sunday that 32 areas at risk of flooding are in the Tana Delta Subcounty, while 10 areas are in Tana River Sub-County while 8 are in Bangale Sub-County. 

Six other areas have been identified as flood-prone in Tarasaa Sub-County and three in Tana North. 

The low altitude areas in Tana Delta include Feji, Kiembe, Halubha, Sera, Bwoka, Tsanankuu, Godhey, Dobaley, Abaganda, Salama, Ndera, Wema, Galili, Chira, Bilisa, Shirikisho and Kipini Division. Others are Miliki, Majaliwa, Onido, Ndiponi, Kau, Kilelengwani, Kalota, Pungaupepo, Kidhanga, Diribu, Magogoni B, Kajisten, Ndimimbii, Ribe А and Ozi Mtangani. 

In Tana River Sub-county, identified areas include Masabubu, Rhoka, Kinakomba-Boji, Emmaus, Watta Hamesa, Vukoni, Mkomani, Bondeni, Laza-Makaburini and Makere. Others are Bowa, Mbalambala, Mororo, Saka, Madogo, Tula, Ziwani and Bulto Banta areas in Bangale Sub-County, Bura, Chewele and Hirimani locations in Tana North Sub-county.

Likweise, Tarasaa Sub-county, areas identified include Kipao, Ongonyo, Odole, Konemansa, Kigomo and Manono.

The mapping follows recent alerts warning of increased flooding risk due to rising river levels of the Seven Forks Cascade, reflecting a larger pattern of flooding being experienced across multiple regions in the country. 

The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) on Saturday warned communities living along the Seven Forks Cascade and downstream along the Tana River over rising water levels and a possible overflow.

KenGen said sustained high inflows from ongoing rainfall in the Mount Kenya and Aberdare Range catchments, as well as direct rainfall over reservoir areas, have led to increased water levels across the cascade.

The Interior Ministry added that as of May 2, 2026, a total of 18 fatalities have been recorded nationwide, most of them linked to drowning. 

"The Eastern region has recorded the highest number of fatalities (9), followed by the Central region (3), Coast (2), Nairobi (2) and Rift Valley (2)," the statement read in part.  

In Nairobi alone, the Ministry added, flooding has affected an estimated 6,600 people and displaced with damage reported to roads, schools, and residential areas across several sub-counties. 

Central region counties, including Kirinyaga and Kiambu, have reported widespread flooding of homes, destruction of infrastructure such as bridges and roads. 

"Mwea West alone, has approximately 3,000 people displaced. In Eastern region, Makueni had the highest fatalities across counties with flash floods and mudslides also causing destruction of homes, and damage to roads and power infrastructure," the statement added.

Communities living along the Lower Tana River, and in other flood-prone areas in the Coast, Northeastern, Highlands, Rift Valley, and Nairobi regions have been advised to remain on high alert and immediately move to higher ground when instructed by security authorities.

The Government, in collaboration with multi-agency response teams, continues to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts across affected regions.