Kenya flooding death toll climbs to 93

Kenya flooding death toll climbs to 93

The death toll from the flooding across the country has climbed to 93 after 10 more people lost their lives. 

Three were killed in Garissa, three in Homabay, and four in different parts of the country. 

The loss of lives comes as the rains and the floods continue to cause massive destruction of property and infrastructure across nearly all counties. 

From nearly all corners of the country, the dark clouds have gathered and relentlessly released their heavy rains to the ground.

Gathering into streams and rivers, the floods that result from this heavy downpour have swept away lives and property.

Guided only by flashlights, rescue boats scour the length and breadth of the flooded Madogo area in Tana River County.

They are here to evacuate tens of residents caught unawares and marooned by the fast-rising waters. 

One by one, the families are rescued from their homes, some saving bits and pieces of their property. Relief is evident as they escape what would have been a disaster.

Some of those marooned regret not heeding early warnings on the impending floods.

The rescued group here in Tana River are amongst the lucky ones. The floods across the country have claimed tens of lives, with the flooding now affecting thirty-three counties as of Sunday, according to the Kenya Red Cross data. 

The death toll from the devastating floods is fast approaching the one hundred mark, with 10 people losing their lives on Sunday and 42 others still missing. 

Three of the deaths were reported in Garissa, three in Homabay, one in Nairobi's Mathare, one in Bomet, one in Kirinyaga, and one in Makueni. 

37,595 households have been affected, with nearly half that number displaced from their houses. 

5774 livestock have been lost while 32,712 acres of crops have been affected by the floods.

In the county of Suba, the rains fell heavily, causing River Lambwe to break its banks. The power of the floods swept away infrastructure and disrupted transport along the Homabay-Mbita road. 

Crossing the river now is a game of wits and sheer determination, with warnings against such attempts being issued.

The same situation was witnessed further downstream in Sindo, where the flooded river burst its banks, sweeping anything and everything in its path. 

Residents were cut off from either side of the bridge with no movement possible. The floods swept away three people, and their bodies have been retrieved from the waters.

Aside from the loss of lives and destruction of property, those affected by the rains and the floods are also fearful for their safety and health. 

In Got Agulu, Siaya County, residents say the flooding has moved wildlife to their homes, endangering their lives.

In Gakungu village, Kirinyaga, a 27-year-old man was swept away by the swollen Thiba River. Those who witnessed the tragedy unfold say the man was trying to cross the river when he was swept downstream. 

His death brings the total number of lives lost in the river during this rainy season to three.

Efforts to retrieve his body hadn't been successful by the end of this evening. The rains are expected to continue, with the Met Department releasing the week's outlook on Monday.

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