Floods: 115 IDP camps set as death toll rises to 210

The government has set up a total of 115 camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) following a flood crisis that has hit the country.

The camps are accommodating a total of 27,586 people, and the government, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, has made specific interventions to meet their essential food supplies.

According to the government, ice and beans totalling 336,000 kg have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Muranga Counties.

There is a need for more food, medical kits, and non-food items in affected counties, and search and rescue operations are still in Garissa, Kiambu, Migori, Narok, Kajiado, West Pokot, Nyeri, Siaya, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Tana River Counties.

“A favourable weather forecast in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions sets the stage for post-flood recovery initiatives in public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs, and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities over the weekend,” the statement said.

With the fear that an overflow of the Seven Forks Dams poses potential flooding in the Tana Delta, residents in Tana River and Lamu Counties have been advised to leave and be saved from an impending danger.

“All persons residing within the 30-meter riparian corridor of rivers and other water courses across the country have been ordered to vacate immediately for their safety,” it added.

Mandatory evacuation along rivers in Mathare, Ngong, and along the Nairobi Rivers is ongoing, with the government facilitating logistical support, temporary shelter, and essential supplies for those affected.

The state also gave a 24-hour evacuation notice to settlements in 33 counties that are within 178 high-risk dams and water reservoirs. This is after a nationwide assessment of all dams in the country that identified 192 dams as high-risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanzam (4).

The Ministry also warned of an impending cyclone along the coast and gave the list of counties that would experience heavy rain.

“At the same time, despite sunny intervals in the Coast Region, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is forecast to bring strong winds and large ocean waves, with heavy rainfall starting Sunday, May 5.

Heavily affected counties

“Additionally, over 33 counties; Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyandarua Machakos, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay, and Nairobi are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms,” the statement continued.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Narok, Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri, Nakuru, Laikipia, Mandera, and Homabay Counties have suffered from flooding as Murang’a, Nyeri, and Nakuru Counties recorded landslides.

“Consequently, approximately 196,296 people have been impacted by the heavy rains that have regrettably claimed 210 lives due to severe weather conditions, including an additional 22 fatalities since the last update. A cumulative 125 people have been reported injured, while 90 people are currently missing.

“A total of 33,100 households have been displaced, affecting approximately 165,500 people and a total of 1,967 schools have had their infrastructure destroyed by the floods,” the statement concluded.