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More than 90 people have been killed by floods in various parts of the country while 21 others have been reported missing.
The National Police Service has also revealed that at least 29 people have been injured in the floods that have affected a total of 185,297 people and displaced 28,484 households.
Nairobi region is leading in the reported deaths (33), displaced households (20,568) and affected persons (147,031). This is partly attributed to many densely populated slums.
Rift Valley is the second most affected with 21 deaths reported followed by Eastern (15), Nyanza (6), Western (6), Central (4), North Eastern (3), and Coast (2).
Authorities have warned of more deaths and destruction of property following the heavy rains being experienced in the country.
The Coast region is the second most affected in terms of total number of people affected by the rains.
A total of 14,044 people have been affected so far in the region followed by Western (9,325), Central (5,779), North Eastern (4,752), Eastern (3,372), Nyanza (994), and Rift Valley (nil).
Heavy traffic
On Saturday evening alone, at least 11 fresh bodies were recovered from various spots following the heavy rains that day and there are fears that the numbers could be more.
Following the heavy rains especially in Nairobi, a number of persons have been reported missing while others have been displaced.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has said they have dispatched more personnel to various roads to help in directing motorists and other users.
“The ongoing heavy rains and floods experienced in the country have not only claimed lives, but also rendered some roads and rivers impassable. Similarly, it is expected that road traffic, both human and vehicular will be very heavy,” Koome said.
Be cautious
He also urged motorists and other road users to be cautious ahead of the reopening of the schools this week.
“In the best interest of the children that will be travelling back to school, and for the safety of the general public, the National Police Service would like to caution all motorists and boda boda riders to be extra vigilant on the roads, and strictly comply with traffic rules and regulations.
Records from police headquarters indicated that new bodies were collected in Ilasit, Kajiado county where the body of a woman was found at the banks of river Mararoi, in Kalama, Machakos county where a man was swept by water at River Kimutwa and in Kathonzweni area, Makueni where the body of a man was found on the banks of River Athi.
Police have also retrieved the lorry that was swept by raging water at Sultan Hamud on Friday. Nine bodies, including six women and three men, were recovered but other bodies including that of the driver of the lorry are yet to be recovered.
In Kitui’s Kathukini, a body of a man was found floating on Nzeu River in Kyangunga sub-location within Kakusi village. The body had visible physical injuries believed to have been as a result of collision with the stones in the river.
In Ruaraka area, Nairobi, the body of one Francis Watuku, 30 who was reported missing on April 23 was found in water in Laundry area in Baba Dogo.
In Embu’s Gachoka area, the body of a girl aged 10 was retrieved from a water pan which is about 100 metres away from their home.
In Laikipia’s Rumuruti area, the body of a 12-year-old boy was found in a dam where he was swimming after suspected drowning.
In Narok, a girl aged 18 drowned in Enkare Narok River while fetching firewood, while in Kokoin, Bomet county, another man drowned in Itare river in Cheptingting sub-location, Koiwa location.
In Nairobi’s Soweto area, the body of Moses Chege, 40, was recovered from a flooded road in Gorofa Saba Bridge.
The bodies were moved to the mortuaries pending identification and autopsy, police said.
Rescue efforts
In Machakos county, police were yesterday searching for the body of an unidentified person who drowned in River Manyanzaani in Kalama area on Friday following heavy rains.
Area County police boss Patrick Lobolia said the police were alerted by residents at around 6pm on the fateful day that a businessman based at Kwa Kavoo trading centre was driving home with his wife and two other passengers when his vehicle was swept away by the raging floods after a heavy down pour.
“Villagers and officers managed to retrieve three bodies about 20 metres from the bridge in the wreckage while one passenger was still missing but villagers and officers are still camping at the river bank as the search continues,” Lobolia said.
The government has scaled up measures to mitigate disaster caused by the ongoienhanced rains and floods, even as the meteorological department warned that heavy rainfall will continue.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday said the government has made several interventions such as financial allocation of Sh4 billion for immediate response to the rain’s havoc.
He added that contingency plans have been developed to enhance the coordination of the emergency response and asked Kenyans to stop daring nature and be responsible during the rainy season.
“We appeal to Kenyans to be responsible for their own lives and safety. Do not dare nature. In some instances, we have seen people being adventurous and daring to cross swollen rivers. We urge Kenyans to exercise caution and be responsible for their own lives. They must know they carry the aspirations of their families,” he said.
To those living in areas prone to landslides and near Kiambere Water Dam, Gachagua asked them to relocate to safer grounds.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s railway services, battered by heavy rains, are set to rebound thanks to swift government action, Kenya Railway Corporation managing director Philip Mainga has assured.
Addressing the National Assembly’s Transport Committee in Mombasa, he said the downpour has severely disrupted key transportation routes, particularly damaging the Nairobi-western railway line, leading to service suspension. “We expect to resume normal services to Western Kenya by Monday,” Mainga affirmed.
Additional reporting by Gastone Valusi.
