May 3, 2024: Top news events to look out for today

Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Continued rains

The ongoing rains are expected to continue across the country, the Kenya Met Department has confirmed.

In a statement, the weatherman said the rains noted that the heavy rainfall is predicted to spread to northern parts of Kenya from today to May 5, 2024.

The met department also mentioned that Large Ocean Waves of more than 2 m are
predicted in the Indian Ocean from 2-6 May 2024.

According to the weatherman, the heavy rainfall will affect counties such as Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, TransNzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo.

Residents in the aforementioned areas have been asked to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility.

The met department also asked residents in landslide/mudslide-prone areas to remain vigilant.

The weatherman also advised citizens to avoid driving through or walking in moving water or open fields.

Relief supplies from UAE

The government will today receive relief supplies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The relief supplies are in response to the hunamitarian crisis brought by the raging floods witnessed across the country.

The UAE had announced that it was dispatching two aircraft loaded with 80 tonnes of essential relief supplies.

Responding to the aid, the Kenyan government expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates and called upon other friends of Kenya to extend their support to Kenya during the hard times.

“The Government of the United Arab Emirates has dispatched two aircraft loaded with 80 tonnes of essential relief supplies to support the government’s efforts.

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya conveys its sincere appreciation and calls upon other friends of Kenya to stand with us during this flooding emergency,” Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said in a statement on May 2, 2024.

The latest comes amid the devastating effects of the raging floods which have left 188 people dead.

According to Mwaura, 151 adults and 37 children are among those who died in the floods since March.

Mwaura also stated that 1,759 households have been displaced in the last 24 hours raising the number to 33,100.

“It is with sorrow that we report the unfortunate loss of 9 precious lives, 4 adults and 5 children, in the last 24 hours. (1 adult in Makueni County, 1 child in Nakuru County, 1 adult in Nandi County, 1 child in Bomet County, 1 child and 1 adult in Narok County, 2 children in Uasin Gishu County and 1 adult in Homa Bay County).

“This raises the national flood-related death toll to 188 (151 adults and 37 children). 125 persons have been injured and another 90 persons reported as missing,” Mwaura said.