Two drown as floods death toll rises

Two people drowned in Turkana County as the death toll from the raging floods climbed to 76 people and 50,000 others left homeless countrywide.

The two died after drowning in the seasonal River Kachoda in Turkana North District.

“The pair were trying to cross the flooded river when they were swept away by raging waters,” said Mr Abdi Mohammed, Turkana North DC.

The National Disaster Operations Centre director Col (Rtd) Nathan Kigotho Monday identified Tana River Delta, Isiolo, Merti, Nyando, Narok and Pokot as some of the areas that had been most affected by the heavy rains.

Crossing swollen rivers

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Kigotho accused some victims of failing to heed the warning by the Meteorological Department that some areas would experience heavy flooding during the long rains season.

He said that immediately after warning, his centre sent teams to flood-prone areas, urging families to move to safer grounds, avoid crossing swollen rivers and sheltering under trees.

Mr Kigotho said: “However, for the first time in this country, no lives have been lost in flood-prone Budalang’i after the government, the World Bank and the Japanese Government put up dykes where flood waters from River Nzoia were tamed.

“If this move is replicated on the Tana and Athi rivers, then we can reduce cases of flooding.”

He added: “In the Tana Delta, 18 members of a family who were marooned after Tana River burst its banks were rescued after seeking refuge in treetops.

“Communication has also been affected after the road linking Isiolo, Garbatulla and Merti was washed away when a local bridge collapsed.”

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) yesterday disclosed that floods had killed more than 40 people in various parts of Rift Valley.

“At least 40 people died out of flood-related cases and more than 2,000 animals drowned in the region as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc,” Mr Kennedy Mulama, KRCS, disaster response officer, said.

Several acres of crops have been also destroyed.

In Turkana County more than 2,000 families displaced by floods yesterday appealed for medical help relief aid, expressing fears of contracting water-borne diseases.

“The victims especially children and the elderly are at risk of contracting pneumonia and waterborne diseases such as cholera due to poor hygiene at the camps,” said Mr Ekuam Lomokiriong’ from Nadapal on the border with South Sudan on phone.

Turkana West DC Patrick Muriira said three medical camps have been set up in the area to provide health services to displaced families.

Crossing swollen rivers

Meanwhile, Deputy President William Ruto has promised sustained help to 1,000 displaced families in Nyatike constituency, Migori County.

He said the government would continue to supply more food and tents to the flood victims, who are camping at Nyora and Kabuto rescue centres.

And the Ewaso Ng’iro Development Authority and the local community at Suswa plains in Narok North District has embarked on a Sh6 million tree-planting project to curb soil erosion caused by flash floods.

More than one million trees will be planted on land set aside by the community.