Kenya floods death toll climbs to 154

With floods battering counties, not only has infrastructure been destroyed and thousands displaced, but 148 people have so far lost their lives.

Monday morning, River Voi burst its banks the rising waters left at least five thousand families in Msambweni, Tanzania and Kaloleni areas in Voi, Taita Taveta County stranded and displaced after submerging their homes and sweeping away their property.

Some of the locals were marooned in their homes with nowhere to go as the water levels continued to rise.

Four people died and several others have been reported missing.

In Migori County, a boat ferrying six people capsized in River Migori at Osiri Matanda in Nyatike. A woman died after drowning in the raging waters while divers were able to rescue five people.

The area chief says rescue efforts to retrieve the body of the woman who died in the floods are ongoing.

So far, eleven people have lost their lives in Migori County. Locals are appealing to the government to erect a bridge across the river with more than five hundred families displaced in Nyatike constituency Migori County.

Elsewhere the Garsen-Witu-Lamu road remains closed due to floods in the region.

The closure is a result of the Tana River overflowing after the heavy rains in the region led to the breakage of banks submerging a section of the road.

The government today launched relief food distribution in Garissa County, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disbursing over four hundred and fifty-one million shillings that the government says will benefit over 119,000 affected persons in counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Wajir, Tana River and Garissa.

“We are alive to the impact of the rains we are here to ensure your comfort ... The money will be distributed by the National Drought Management Authority NDMA through the Hunger Safety Net program,” Gachagua said.

In addition, Gachagua says the government has set aside one billion shillings for road repairs. Accompanying the D.G. Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen advised transporters to help traders transport food stocks in areas where roads are passable to avert shortage of food occasioned by the floods.

The government says resources have been deployed to help with the initiative but says counties must also chip in.