Floods death toll rise to 291 as 107 cholera cases reported countrywide

Fatalities from the ongoing floods in Kenya continue to rise, hitting 291 as announced by the Ministry of Interior.

In an update released on Thursday morning, two more lives were lost due to the severe weather conditions witnessed across the country.

In Nairobi, at least 3,005 people affected by the floods are currently being hosted across the 35 camps that were set up by the Kithure Kindiki-led ministry last month.

In addition to that 65,493 people have been integrated into the community as a result of the ongoing Nairobi River evacuation exercise.

The ministry added a cumulative 188 people have been reported injured and 75 are currently missing.

A total of 1,967 schools across the 47 counties have been affected by the floods.

"Seventy-two primary and 23 secondary schools in various counties have been adversely affected by the heavy rains and flooding will have their opening delayed," the Interior Ministry said.

A total of 55,631 households have been displaced affecting approximately 278,155 people while the heavy rains have affected 412,763 people.

In the last 24 hours, Busia and Wajir counties have suffered from flooding, also the Tana Delta (Tana River, Garissa, Lamu) has flooded owing to heavy rains in the Central region catchment area.

Communities in Kenya are struggling after severe flooding. @KenyaRedCross are on the ground, providing critical aid in Tana River County and across the country.

Essentials like food, shelter & WASH non-food items and medical care are urgently needed. https://t.co/F5jJCv9tO9 pic.twitter.com/pwvhhv41PJ

— Mohamed Babiker (@Mohamedbabik65) May 14, 2024

Also, volcanic fault lines occurred in Nakuru County, luckily no casualties were recorded.

Cholera outbreak

The country has also recorded 107 cholera cases, attributed to the widespread flooding affecting various parts of the country.

The Interior Ministry revealed that 54 cholera cases have been reported at the Nyeri GK prison.

"The Ministry of Health together with the Kenya Red Cross conducting medical outreach programmes as well as cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Nyeri, Tana River and Marsabit Counties," reads the update.

In addition to that, 30 public health officials have also been deployed for a risk assessment of all 167 internally displaced camps and evaluation of nutrition as well as safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) points.

Kindiki has also declared the Kimende area in Kiambu County as a danger zone and cordoned it off owing to landslides.

"A multi-agency team of the Kenya Defence Forces, National Government Administrative Officers, National Police Service and Red Cross are conducting a risk assessment of surrounding areas," reads the update.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue mission ended in Kiamaiko, Mathare sub-county in Nairobi after it was established no person was trapped or injured.

However in Kiambu County along the Kijabe- Matathia road, a search and rescue operation is ongoing following a massive landslide covering an area of approximately one acre.

"Two people have been rescued and three are missing. The road is closed and the area is classified unsafe," reads the update.

Also, 151 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel are still on the ground in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County following the mudslide tragedy which left 62 people dead.

Search missions are still on as 27 people have been reported to be missing.

The Mai Mahiu-Narok Road has however been cleared and opened for traffic movement as Kenya Railways is conducting inspections of the railway line in Kijabe.