More than three thousand families in Tarasa, Tana Delta, have been displaced by floods caused by the River Tana bursting its banks, forcing learners to skip school.

Odole Primary and Junior School has been identified as the most affected since learners can not cross the river to access the institution.

Speaking in an interview with a local media house on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Odole Primary and Junior School headteacher Samuel Kariuki, confirmed that a significant number of learners had moved to IDP camps with their parents.

Kariuki further explained that half of the school’s population has been affected by the flooding, which has in turn paralysed learning.

“The school has a population of around 700 learners. For now, we are having less than 300; the others have been moved to the camps with their parents,” Kariuki stated.

Kenya Red Cross report

According to the humanitarian aid organisation, the Kenya Red Cross, the crisis, which dates back to April 2026, is becoming dire, with families wiped out of their households.

In a statement by the Kenya Red Cross on its official X account on Friday, June 5, 2026, Tana River County remains a severe but underreported crisis.

At the same time, the Kenya Red Cross explained the flooding situation across the country caused by the March-May rains, which affected at least 85,993 households.

According to Red Cross statistics, 41 counties were affected by the heavy rains, displacing 18,587 people, with 355 water sources destroyed and 38,955 acres of crops wiped out.

“Flooding in Tana River County remains a severe but underreported crisis. Across Kenya, the March-May rains have affected 85,993 households across 41 counties, displacing 18,587, with 355 water sources destroyed and 38,955 acres of crops wiped out,” Kenya Red Cross stated.

In the Tana Delta, entire villages are cut off, with Miliki, Majaliwa and Onido fully marooned by the water levels.

In addition, the Red Cross has warned that water levels at Idsowe Bridge remain high, worsening downstream flooding.

“In the Tana Delta, entire villages are cut off. Miliki, Majaliwa and Onido are fully marooned. Water levels at Idsowe Bridge remain high, worsening downstream flooding. Farms are submerged. Livelihoods are gone,” Red Cross explained.

Meanwhile, reports by humanitarian aid indicate that response teams have reached 2,722 households with emergency household items and hygiene support, but many areas remain inaccessible.

The devastating flooding situation comes even as the world braces itself for the El Niño threat.