Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service and the National Youth Service have been deployed in search and rescue operations following the floods that have raged at least 28 counties in the country.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura yesterday said floods have been experienced in Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Mandera and Homa Bay Counties resulting in loss of lives, property and disruption of services.

“The National Multi-Agency Emergency Response Committee on floods, is undertaking and coordinating various response initiatives to cushion the affected populations from the effects of the floods,” Mwaura said.

Currently, 151 KDF officers, police officers and 400 NYS officers, security teams and Red Cross officials have been deployed in various parts of the country, especially in Mai Mahiu.

The units have been engaged in ground and aerial operations in retrieving bodies, rescue operations, clear roads and traffic.

Ministry of Interior has said the government continues to make various interventions in collaboration with the County Governments, Kenya Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations.

The committee continues with need assessments to ensure proportionate distribution of government relief items including Food and Non-Food Items to the 196,296 citizens affected by this flooding emergency.

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

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been experienced over 28 Counties in the Western, Rift Valley, Central and Upper Eastern regions and has affected approximately 196,296 people.

Areas affected in Western region include Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia while in the Lake Victoria Basin the areas affected are Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay.

Others are Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Narok); Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Laikipia); Upper Eastern (Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru) and Nairobi.

In the last two days, Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Mandera, and Homa Bay Counties have been affected by flooding as landslides and mudslides continue to occur in Muranga and Nakuru Counties.

Weather conditions

As a result, the country has recorded 188 fatalities due to severe weather conditions including nine more since the last update.

A cumulative of 125 people have been reported injured while 90 others are currently missing and an approximate 165,500 others were displaced by the heavy floods bringing to a total of 33,100 households and 1,967 schools.

Mai Mahiu-Narok Road is now clear and open for traffic movement.

In Narok County, emergency response teams alongside the County Security team and Red Cross successfully evacuated 90 individuals in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed.

No fatalities were reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate.

“A Nationwide assessment of all dams is currently underway with inspection teams dispatched to ascertain the integrity of 192 dams identified to be high risk,” the ministry said.

The Government has also urged individuals, groups, organisations and partners to support provision of food, medical kits, sanitary kits and other non-food items in counties where search and rescue operations are still ongoing including Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay and Tana River Counties.

Favourable weather forecast  is expected 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 amongst them; public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities.

The government has also urged Kenyans to report immediately to the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) via toll-free line:0800721571.