Northern Kenya

Isiolo floods: 1,000 families displaced, several schools and mosques marooned

Residents of Merti Sub-county, Isiolo County, wade through floodwaters in this picture taken on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

By Waweru Wairimu | Saturday, May 4, 2024

The facilities affected include seven schools and four mosques.

At least seven schools and four mosques in Merti town, Isiolo County, have been marooned by floods after the River Ewaso Nyiro burst its banks following heavy rains in neighbouring counties.

The government has extended holidays until further notice due to the resultant destruction.

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The affected institutions are Macci Primary and Secondary, Khalifa Primary and Girls' Secondary, Hamza Primary, Mlanda Nur Primary, and Gamachu Primary schools.

The floods have also displaced more than 1,000 families in Merti North and South, according to data from the Kenya Red Cross and Sub-County Steering Group.

The raging waters have destroyed road infrastructure and two boreholes, exposing residents to the risk of water-borne diseases and a lack of essential supplies.

Mohammed Gollo, a resident, appealed for humanitarian aid for the affected families and implored state and non-state actors to come up with sustainable measures to mitigate subsequent floods.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo toured Merti on Friday to assess the extent of the destruction, but humanitarian aid from the county is yet to arrive as trucks ferrying the items are stuck between Bulesa and Merti town. Humanitarian aid can only be delivered through air transport.

Guyo was accompanied by Speaker Mohammed Roba Qoto, Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya, and Cherab MCA Halima Abgudo.

The county boss assured that his administration was working closely with other development partners to come up with a response plan to guide the distribution of aid that includes food and non food items, medical supplies, as well as the repair of damaged infrastructure.

"We are working closely with other partners to support the affected families, minimise damage, and protect lives," he said, asking residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground for safety purposes.

MCA Abgudo said that crafting long-term resilience and preparedness measures would reduce the area's vulnerability to natural disasters.

In the financial year 2023/24, Isiolo has set aside Sh110 million to tackle emergencies in its 10 wards, Sh50 million of which was spent last December, according to a recent budget implementation report by the Controller of Budget.