Kenya: Thousands displaced by flooding as of May 7 /update 4

Event

As of Thursday, May 7, floods and landslides have killed nearly 200 people and displaced another 100,000 nationwide. President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that the adverse weather conditions have destroyed thousands of hectares of crops. The Kenyan government further announced that the floods will complicate efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In Busia County, two people were killed, and thousands displaced when the River Nzoia burst its banks, prompting emergency services to conduct rescue operations. At least two people were also killed during flash flooding on the Lodwar-Lokichoggio Highway in Turkana County and hundreds of families displaced in Kilifi County after the River Sabaki burst its banks. Earlier on Friday, May 1, at least six people were killed in flood-related incidents in Baringo County.

Further heavy rain is to be anticipated in the near term and associated transportation disruptions are to be expected in the affected areas.

Context

Heavy rains have been affecting the country since Friday, April 17, and have caused rivers to overflow and triggered floods in west, central, and southeast Kenya. According to reports, the most affected counties are West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kisumu, Homabay, Tana River, Garissa, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Siaya, Kakamega, Bomet, and Nairobi.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions, anticipate transportation and business disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.