Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has reported that Kenya has tragically lost 179 lives due to the ongoing floods across the country.
In the past 24 hours alone, 10 more people have succumbed to the floods, bringing the total death toll to 179. Among the deceased, 164 are adults and 15 are children. Additionally, 125 individuals have sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in health facilities nationwide.
Mwaura expressed the government’s heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, while also wishing a swift recovery to the injured. Furthermore, he disclosed that 20 people are still missing, raising the total number of missing persons to 90.
The floods have resulted in the displacement of an additional 1,127 households, bringing the total number of displaced households to 31,341. Overall, an estimated 195,011 individuals have been displaced by the floods. To address this crisis, the government has established displacement camps to provide alternative accommodation for those affected.
Relief Operations Centers have been set up at the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB), with senior government officials leading response efforts in affected counties. The Kenya Defence Forces have been mobilized to assist in recovery and evacuation operations.
Mwaura emphasized that distribution of food and non-food items is ongoing across the country, with a relief operation planned for the next two months. Recently, relief items including rice, beans, fortified foods, blankets, kitchen sets, jikos, solar lamps, and sanitary pads were distributed to various subcounties.
In response to the escalating situation, the government has completed mapping out all fragile ecosystems in the country for early evacuation advisories. Residents within high-risk areas, including those near dams, water reservoirs, landslide-prone areas, and riparian lands, are required to relocate within 48 hours.
The government urged all Kenyans to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines, and heed flood alerts. Cooperation with emergency responders and local authorities during evacuations or rescue operations is crucial, especially in high-risk areas.
