The number of people killed by floods in Kenya in the past one month has jumped to nearly 200 after 30 deaths were reported in the past 44 hours.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, May 6th, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said the death toll from the floods experienced in various parts of the country stands at 194.
“We have lost 30 people in the last 44 hours. Now in total 194 lives have been lost,” said CS Wamalwa, adding that thousands of people have been displaced.
Areas near River Nyando, River Nzoia, River Tana, and parts of Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties are the most affected by the flooding caused by heavy rains.
The government has appealed to Kenyans living in areas prone to floods and mudslides to relocate to safer grounds.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said those who have defied government’s directive to move to higher grounds are being relocated by force.
“We have no option but to move them out by force. That is already going on in affected areas in Garissa and Tana River,” he noted.
He added: “This is a disaster and we cannot keep pleading with our people to move out, we must move them out.”
On his part, Energy CS Charles Keter said a majority of dams have reached full capacity and are set to overflow.
“We have never witnessed this and that is not a good sign, people must move,” said Keter.
“The situation as at this morning is serious. The reservoir in Masinga as per this morning we have reached historical figures of 1057.86 above the sea level. Maximum reservoir is 1056…It is a serious issue. This is historical and it is the highest since Masinga was built,” he added.
The Metrological Department announced the heavy rains will continue until the end of May, with parts of Western, Mt. Kenya, North Eastern and Rift Valley marked as red zones.
