Almost 200 people have now died in flooding in Kenya since April. Meanwhile the Turkwel Gorge and Masinga dams have filled to maximum capacity.
In a statement on 06 May, the government in Kenya says at least 194 people have now died in flooding in the country in the last 3 weeks, while over 100,000 have been displaced.
Flooding has affected 29 of the country’s 47 counties. Wide areas of land are under water in Busia and Siaya counties, western Kenya, after the Nzoia river overflowed.
According to government figures, around 30 people have died in flooding in the last 2 days. Earlier this week Government Minister Eugene Wamalwa said the number of fatalities stood at 164.
Yesterday the Minister said “More than 600,000 Kenyans in 122,000 households have been adversely affected by the effects of the ongoing heavy rains, which are expected to continue up to June.”
He added “It is unfortunate that the floods and landslides are being experienced at a time when the country is grappling with the COVID -19 .All floods affected persons in various camps will be issued with face masks while clean water will be provided through water bowsers”
Aircraft have been deployed for aerial surveillance of flooded areas to locate individuals and communities marooned or cut-off due to the raging floods.
Twenty-five temporary camps have been established across the country to accommodate the displaced persons due to flood related issues.Authorities are ensuring a continuous supply of portable water to affected communities, as well as delivery of medical supplies and other non-food items by the emergency medical teams.
The government said that Turkwel Gorge dam and Masinga dam have filled to maximum capacity which has never been recorded in history. The overflow water will affect residents along the Tana River in Garissa and Tana River Counties. Residents in these areas should move to safer grounds, and those who refuse will be evicted.
Social Media
Earlier today,addressed the media on the floods situation in the country where 29 counties are affected and 122,000 households displaced. Flagged off the second round of 40,000 bags of relief food supplies to Counties affected by floods & land slides at the Inland Container Depot pic.twitter.com/hwVQxr6sVg
— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) May 6, 2020
The Government will evict Tana River and Garissa residents who have refused to move to higher grounds as floods wreak havoc in these areas. https://t.co/FO5bRCDGkj
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) May 6, 2020
At least 194 Kenyans have been killed by floods brought about by heavy rains in the last three weeks, while over 100,000 others are displaced.
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) May 6, 2020
Since Govt issued warnings in April of impending floods &urged Kenyans living in flood/landslide prone areas to move to safer ground, several Counties have been affected with 164 lives lost and thousands displaced but Budalangi that am visiting is one of the most affected areas pic.twitter.com/XGzUQHx8mb
— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) May 4, 2020
