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Kenya floods death toll rises by eight to 238

Kenya Red Cross Society members hold on to a safety rope as they wade through floodwaters to assess and rescue residents trapped in their homes in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on May 1, 2024, after a seasonal river burst its banks. (Photo: Reuters)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Tuesday, May 7, 2024

A total of 174 people have been reported wounded, 75 missing, and 47,000 families, or 235,000 people, displaced.

At least eight people have died in the last 24 hours, in the aftermath of heavy rain and flooding in many parts of the county, raising the death toll to 238.

An update on Tuesday, from Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki's Interior ministry, added that a total of 174 people had been reported wounded, 75 missing, and 47,000 families, or 235,000 people, displaced.

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Kindiki further reported that 167 camps had been set up across 22 counties, hosting 70,451 people. He added that approximately 286,011 people had been impacted by the heavy rains.

"Transport, housing, education, health, and agriculture are the most affected sectors," he said, adding that about 1,967 were grappling with various losses.

On Tuesday, President William Ruto announced that each family affected by the floods would get a monthly stipend of Sh10,000 from the government.

"Proper planning must include providing food, blankets, money, and mattresses to the residents," he added, amid criticism from various quarters about the government's lack of preparedness despite warnings and past disasters.

At the camps, food and non-food items are being provided and volunteers are helping with medical care

Last week, CS Kinidiki said that those displaced by the floods could find the list of camps at government offices, including those of chiefs and county commissioners, and their assistants.

Kindiki also mandated National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), supervised by county security committees, to establish more temporary shelters to accommodate the rising number of affected persons.

He also noted that air and boat rescue operations were ongoing, in joint efforts by county governments, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and other partners.