Heavy rains kill three people in Bomet, Makueni counties

The relentless overnight rain across various regions of the country wreaked havoc, leaving a trail of destruction and three people dead across the country.

In Bomet County, tragedy struck as two individuals lost their lives after a mudslide in Silibwet village.

Police reports indicate that the two were seeking shelter in a semi-permanent structure when the ground gave way, burying the house.

“Vile mvua imenyesha usiku yote asubuhi tukapata kwamba kuna maporomoko ya ardhi ikamaliza watu wawili ambao walikuwa ndani ya hiyo nyumba,” Bomet township chief Reuben Ngetich said.

In Makueni County, one person perished, while two narrowly escaped death when their vehicle was swept away by floods on Friday night while attempting to cross the swollen Kalawa River in the Mbooni area.

Nairobi also bore the brunt of the continuous rainfall that pounded most parts of the country throughout Friday night and Saturday morning destroying infrastructure. 

Houses were flooded in residential areas in South C, leaving residents stuck in their houses for most of the day. 

Residents living on the ground floor and those on the upper floors alike were marooned in their houses since 3am.

“Nimeshinda siku nzima nikitoa tu maji,” Elizabeth Kwamboka, a South C resident, said.

Jennifer Randiga added: “We are hoping that we will get a solution at the end of the day.”

Roads became impassable, causing significant challenges for drivers navigating through flooded sections. 

The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that heavy rain accompanied by storms will persist until Monday.

According to the weatherman the North Upper, Lower and Eastern counties will get varying amounts of rainfall.

Marsabit, Mandera, Isiolo, Wajir and Garissa will get little rain of less than 5mm, with Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kitui getting up to 15mm of rain by the end of the week.

On the other hand, Machakos and Makueni will receive heavy rains of up to 50 mm with parts of Kajiado having up to 75mm of rain.

The majority of the Coastal counties will have low rainfall except for Taita Taveta and Kwale counties which are expected to receive up to 50mm of rainfall.

Nairobi and Kiambu are also expected to experience increased rainfall of up to 75mm.

In Rift Valley, the counties of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo Kericho and Bomet are expected to get substantial rainfall of up to 50mm.

With Western Kenya getting varying amounts of rainfall in the week, Bungoma and Busia will have up to 15mm of rain, while Kakamega and Vihiga will have up to 50mm.

In Nyanza, the counties of Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori will receive up to 25mm of rain, with Kisumu, Nyamira and Kisii getting up to 50mm.