Five killed, hundreds displaced as heavy rains wreak havoc
What you need to know:
In Mt Elgon, three people died after they were swept away in mudslides.
At least 40 fishermen on the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have been rendered homeless after heavy rains destroyed their houses on Tuesday
In Homa Bay, two people, among them a pupil, died after being swept away by floods.
In Garissa, hundreds of people living along the banks of River Tana have been displaced by floods.
Five people died, while hundreds were displaced on Tuesday as heavy rains continued to pound the country.
In Mt Elgon, three people died after they were swept away in mudslides.
MT ELGON
Chongoiywo and Chesiywo areas were the hardest hit, following flooding on the slopes of Mt Elgon.
Cheptais police chief Ezekiel Kiche said Mr Dan Mogoit was swept away by a mudslide at his home in Chongoiywo.
In Sasuri, Temko Masai, 15, a pupil at Chesiywo Primary School, was also swept away by mud in the Monday evening downpour.
Mr Kiche said the victims lived in landslide-prone areas.
Red Cross officials said they had found a third body, that of Mr Isaac Makona, 23.
Bungoma Red Cross Co-ordinator Hesbon Wekola said the team was working with security officers and families to ensure that all residents were accounted for.
Mr Wekola said affected families were being moved to higher grounds and safe zones in nearby schools.
“Currently, we have recovered three bodies after the mudslide and we are helping the families to move to higher grounds,” he said.
HOMA BAY COUNTY
In Homa Bay, two people, among them a pupil, died after being swept away by floods.
This was after a heavy downpour in Gwassi area on Monday night.
Two other pupils escaped unhurt after a motorcycle they were riding on was swept away by flood water.
Ms Caren Ager, 50, was on her way home from Magunga market when she was swept away by floods in Tonga area.
Her body was retrieved and taken to St Camillus Hospital mortuary.
Five cows and three goats in the area were also swept into Lake Victoria.
Homa Bay county police commander John Omusanga said nine-year-old Berverlyne Amondi also died. She was among three people riding on the motorcycle at Kenda village.
Mr Evans Kuye, the motorcycle rider, had attempted to cross fast-moving waters when he lost control of the motorbike.
His other passengers, Vallery Atieno, 14, and Kelly Odhiambo, 12, were carried by the waters but were rescued in an open field.
MIGINGO ISLAND
Meanwhile, at least 40 fishermen on the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have been rendered homeless after heavy rains destroyed their houses on Tuesday.
Some 15 boats moored on the beach were also destroyed by the rains.
Migingo Beach Management Unit chairman John Obunge appealed for relief food, blankets, tents and drugs.
“The support will also assist our police officers, whose houses were destroyed last week by a similar storm … they are now putting up with fishermen,” he said.
NYAMIRA
In Nyamira, schools have asked the county disaster management committee to help repair and rebuild classrooms damaged by the rains.
Borabu MP Ben Momanyi and officials from the schools told county commissioner and Governor John Nyagarama that they need funds.
The MP said four schools and several bridges and roads had been damaged.
“At least 10 classrooms have been brought down by the rains while toilets have collapsed, posing serious health and safety risks to children,” said the MP.
GARISSA
County Commissioner Josephine Onunga said her office had received numerous requests for assistance.
“We are consolidating them so that we can harmonise a requisition,” she said.
In Garissa, hundreds of people living along the banks of River Tana have been displaced by floods.
Speaking to journalists after visiting residents of Bakuyu in Garissa town yesterday, county commissioner James Kianda said more than 3,000 people were at risk of being displaced if the rains continue.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure no life is lost following rains in different parts of this county,” he said.
Mr Kianda was with Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and urged residents to move to higher grounds.
The leaders were overseeing distribution of non-food items provided by Red Cross to more than 400 Bakuyu residents displaced after River Tana burst its banks.
Mr Juma Abdi Huko, 68, told the Daily Nation residents were advised by the county commissioner and the local chief not to return to their homes until the rains subside.
“The displaced from Bakuyu are about 469 households. We have received mosquito nets, blankets and other items but it’s not enough,” he said.
Stories by Raphael Wanjala, Maurice Kaluoch, Abdimalik Hajir, Henry Nyarora and Elisha Otieno
