Heavy rains leave trail of death, destruction of property across Kenya
The ongoing rains have claimed 17 people, while 15 others have sustained varying degrees of injuries since mid-October.
A report by the Kenya Red Cross report released yesterday showed that at least 1,067 livestock have died within the same period.
The rains, which are expected to last until January, have also disrupted 15,264 households across the country, destroyed 112 latrines, 241 acres of farmland.
One of the victims is a child who drowned in Kako Waia, Makueni, following a heavy downpour on October 15, and a woman who died in Busia on October 24, after the roof of her house collapsed.
Other deaths documented in the Red Cross report include two people killed by lightning strikes in West Pokot and Mandera counties on October 22 and 29, respectively, and a child who was swept by flash floods while attempting to cross the Isiolo-Marsabit Road on October 25.
Three people were also injured in Busia after they were struck by objects lifted by strong winds that accompanied the rains.
The other people sustained serious injuries at Olesinye village in Narok after their house was struck by lightning on October 17.
Last month, President William Ruto said the country will not experience El Nino rains as predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Experts had warned of a spell of El Nino rains starting early this month similar to what the country experienced in 1997.
However, with the month entering the third week, there are no signs of the said rains with most parts of the country experiencing dry spells.
The 1997 El Nino rainfall had a devastating impact on agriculture, water resources, transport and communications and health sectors due to its uniqueness, intensity and destructive power.
President Ruto told congregants at the Revival Sanctuary of Glory Church in Dagoretti on October 23 that MET had dropped the El Nino expectations and instead predicted the normal short rains experienced during this time of the year.
“This is good for the country’s agricultural sector and farmers can now plan ahead of the planting season,” Ruto said. He said this will allow farmers to produce more to cushion the country’s food basket. “You see the department has now said there will be no El Nino, we will only have significant rains, which is even better for us to get to our farms and produce more,” he said.
El Nino phenomenon
In Wajir County, two children lost their lives when swept away by the floods. In Samburu County, eight passengers narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when their lorry was swept away by the floods but were later rescued in a daring helicopter operation. It’s crucial to note that the El-Nino phenomenon typically recurs every 3 to 5 years and is characterized by warmer than average Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) over the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon significantly influences global weather patterns, including rainfall in various regions.
Director General of the Kenya Meteorological Service, Dr David Gikungu, had previously issued a warning that El Niño conditions were likely to persist through the October to December season.
