Floods: Death toll rises to 179 after 10 more people killed in 24 hours

The government has announced that 10 more people were killed by floods in the last 24 hours across the country, bringing the total deaths to 179 since the heavy rains started.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, said out of the 179 people, 164 are adults while 15 are children.

The national tally for the missing people is now at 90 after 20 more were reported missing within the last 24 hours, even as 195,011 people have also been displaced so far.

“Moreover, the ongoing flooding has led to the displacement of an additional 1,127 households raising the number of displaced households to 31,341 with 195,011 people affected. The government has set up displacement camps to provide alternative accommodation to the displaced,” Mwaura stated.

Mwaura further revealed that another 125 Kenyans have been injured and are receiving treatment in health facilities across the country as the rains continue to wreak havoc.

This even as the weatherman has warned of above-average rainfall in this new month. 

“The month of April marked the peak of the ongoing March-April-May (MAM) long rains, except for the Coastal region where the rains are expected to peak in May. The weather forecast shows that the country will continue to receive above-average rainfall in this new month,” Mwaura said.

The Spokesperson expressed the government’s commitment in addressing the situation saying multi-agency teams had been deployed across the country to help in the distribution of basic needs and rescue operations for those affected.

“The government has stepped up response with the KDF already enjoined in recovery and evacuation exercises. Distribution of Food and Non-Food Items (F&NFIs) continues across the country with a relief operation planned for the next two months,” he said.

“The government has also set up a Relief Operations Centre at the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB).”

He reiterated the government’s stance on people residing in flood-prone areas which have been mapped out as fragile ecosystems to vacate within the 48-hour notice previously issued.

“Before the end of today, members of the public residing within the risky areas are required to relocate within 48 hours. These include the areas near dams and other water reservoirs in public or private land, areas prone to mudslides and landslides and riparian lands across the country,” Mwaura stated.

“The government has finalized the arrangements to provide alternative accommodation to those who shall be displaced.”

Meanwhile the Kenya Meteorological Department on Tuesday warned that Thursday and Friday would particularly experience heavy downpours.