State warns of flooding in Lake Victoria, Baringo basins

The government has warned of serious flooding and backflow in counties in the Lake Victoria and  Lake Baringo basins, and in Tana River and Garissa counties.

The ministry of Interior has said lakes Victoria and Baringo are projected to continue causing backflow and flooding of several counties and that overflow of the Seven Forks Dams still poses to exacerbate flooding in the Tana Delta and impacting Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu Counties.

So far, a total of 307 people have lost their lives due to severe weather conditions across the country with no fatalities reported in the last two days.

A cumulative 188 people have been reported injured, while 40 people are still missing, according to a statement from the ministry.

The report further states that approximately 410,352 people have been impacted by the rains, while the number of displaced households is currently at 54,936, affecting approximately 274,680 people. The government has also set up 187 camps across 25 counties.

Affected facilities

The ongoing rains have affected a total of 1,967 schools and 64 health facilities, according to the Ministry of Interior. Out of the schools affected, 72 primary and 23 secondary schools in various Counties have been adversely affected by the heavy rains and flooding will have their opening delayed as the National and County Multi-Agency teams ensure that repairs are done to create a safe environment for students to resume learning.

The rains have also killed 8,722 livestock and destroyed 168,092 acres of land.

According to the ministry, showers and thunderstorms are forecasted in counties in the Western region (Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia); Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Kisii, Migori, Nyamira); and Rift Valley (Turkana, Samburu, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado).

Others are Central (Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Kiambu); Eastern (Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui); Coast region (Lamu. Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta) and Nairobi.

“Flooding is expected in low lying areas, riparian areas and urban areas while landslides/mudslides may occur in areas with steep slopes, escarpments and ravines,” the ministry said.

The counties affected since Wednesday include Busia, Garissa, Narok and Bungoma counties which have suffered from flooding. Destructive strong winds were also experienced in Mombasa and Nakuru Counties; mudslide recorded in Bungoma County.

The sectors most affected by the floods include transport, housing, education, health, and agriculture.

The government has also issued a number of advisories including Kimende area in Kiambu County declared a danger zone and cordoned off owing to landslides.

Agencies at work

A Multi Agency team of the Kenya Defence Forces, National Government Administrative Officers, National Police Service and Red Cross is currently conducting a risk assessment of surrounding areas.

A Nationwide assessment of all dams has been conducted and 192 dams identified to be high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).

So far, essential food supplies of rice and beans totaling 1,226,400 Kg have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Makueni, Tana River, Kilifi, Nakuru, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Migori, Kajiado, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Muranga counties.

58 cholera (Tana River) and 54 dysentery (Nyeri GK Prison) cases have been reported so far with the Ministry of Health together with the Kenya Red Cross

Favourable weather forecasted in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) North Western (Turkana, Marsabit) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions sets the stage for post-flood recovery initiatives in public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities.

Meanwhile, several households in Kisumu County are counting food stocks losses worth Sh12.7 million following the recent floods which left behind a trail of destruction.

The deluge significantly affected Ahero ward where some 300 households lost 500 bags of maize, 20 bags of beans, 20 bags of sorghum and 16 bags of rice valued at Sh2.2 million. At Kabonyo Kanyagwal Ward which was adversely affected by the backflow from Lake Victoria, 250 households lost 300 bags of maize, 10 bags of beans, 20 bags of sorghum and a bag of rice valued at Sh 1.3 million.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture Kenneth Onyango said families in Kobura Ward lost food stocks worth Sh1.7 million, Awasi/Onjiko Ward Sh1.1 million, East Kano/Wawithi Sh1.4 million.