El Nino: Flood-related deaths hit 174 as 6 more die in 3 days
At least 174 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing El Nino rains, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Mwaura said that six more Kenyans had died in the last three days as a result of El Nino rains. The six include a mother and her child who died as a result of a landslide in Guruga village in Kiambu County, while the other four Kenyans died in a gold mine in Kurutyange village, Bukira North, Migori County.
Mwaura said that on Monday, El Nino rains pounded Kitui County damaging several roads and killing 56 goats. Additionally, 76 households comprising approximately 380 people were displaced.
"We have set up an additional camp to accommodate the displaced. This now raises the total camps to 170 nationally, with 109,179 households comprising about 545,895 people displaced so far. Tana River's water levels have risen significantly from 3.4m to 4.8m over the weekend. Consequently, water has now spilled on the Madogo-Garissa Road," Mwaura stated.
"Although the road remains passable, the increased water levels pose challenges and we advise motorists to be very vigilant and adhere to subsequent alerts. Meanwhile, two of the three damaged sections of the Garsen-Lamu road have been rock-filled by Kenya National Highways Authority. The repair of the third section is ongoing and is estimated to be complete in approximately one week before the road can be fully opened for use."
El Nino aid
Mwaura said the government has dispatched NYS and KDF trucks to Wajir and Mandera counties to replenish supplies of food, non-food items, and medicine.
"In Tana River and Lamu counties, the NPS helicopters will resume airlifts of relief supplies this afternoon. The WFP plane which is in Garissa, will also move to Wajir County today to facilitate last-mile distribution efforts," he added. 
Mwaura says the Ministry of Health is supplying snake anti-venom to help fight the post-flood snake scare.
According to the meteorological forecast, rains will continue until January. Between December 19 and 23, 2023 rainfall is anticipated in the South Coast, especially Kilifi County.
