15 die as rains pound many parts of Kenya

The death toll from the heavy rains pounding many parts of the country went up on Saturday as the weatherman warned of continued downpours.

The rains have also destroyed property and displaced families.

Five people, including three children, died in Samburu and Kilifi counties on Saturday, while many others were injured and property valued at millions of shillings destroyed.

EMPTY

In Nairobi, a tree fell on four vehicles at Serena Hotel and extensively damaged them on Saturday afternoon.

Kilimani OCPD Joseph Muthee said the vehicles were empty at the time of the incident.

The city county government said it had set aside Sh194 million to repair the drainage system that has been blamed for flooding as questions arose over the utilisation of the funds given for similar projects in the past.

REPAIRS

Nairobi County roads executive Mohamed Dagane said part of the funds would be used to repair drainage systems in Zimmerman, Marurui, Runda, Ridgeways, Garden and Muthaiga North estates.

Other areas are Uhuru Park, Jonathan Ngéno Estate, Karen Plains, Mathare, Serengeti Avenue, Lakeview Estate, Githurai Rurie, Seminary Road, Vanga Road/Hendred Avenue/Korosho Road, Chalbi Drive and Muhia Road.

LOSSES

At least 15 people have been killed by the rains in different parts of the country in the past five days as many families spent the night in the cold after their houses were destroyed by the rains in Nairobi, Mt Kenya, Coast, Eastern and Northeastern regions.

Hundreds of families in Wendano and Kisiiki areas of Gatuanyaga ward in Thika constituency spent Friday and Saturday nights outside as others counted losses when River Athi burst its banks, destroying homes and crops.

DISASTER RESPONSE

Another 40 people lost household items in Isiolo town.

Isiolo Deputy Governor Ibrahim Issa said the number of victims could rise if the rains continued, adding that the county administration had set aside an unspecified amount of cash for disaster response.

On Saturday, Kenya Red Cross distributed food and other items to 22 families whose houses were submerged in Kulamawe.

SUBMERGED

Kenya Red Cross Society North Coast regional manager Hassan Musa said three children died in Kilifi when 21 houses were submerged at Kiziki cha Mzungu village.

“In the first incident, two boys were swept away by floods at Kiziki cha Mzungu, while a 13-year-old girl was attacked by a crocodile at Bombi in Bakae village,” he told the Sunday Nation.

ROAD BARRICADED

Transport was paralysed in parts of Narok when parts of the Narok-Mai Mahiu road were destroyed by floods.

Business was paralysed in Narok town on Saturday morning when residents barricaded the Narok-Mai Mahiu road to protest the delay by police in retrieving bodies of two people swept away by floods on Friday night.

Motorists and tourists heading to Maasai Mara Game Reserve were stranded for more than three hours as they could not enter or leave the town.

INTENSITY

Kenya Meteorological Services director Peter Ambenje told the Sunday Nation that heavy rainfall would continue falling in many parts of the country for the next five days with parts of Central, Western, North Eastern and South Eastern regions getting above normal rains.

He said that the rainfall would be more than 50mm and could cause floods and destroy drainages.

“The wet weather spell is expected to continue in several parts of the country. The areas to receive the rains are Rift Valley, South Eastern, Northern, Central parts of Kenya, including Nairobi, and the Coast but with reduced intensity,” Mr Ambenje said.

HIGHER GROUND

He added that Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Taita- Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet and Nakuru would be the most affected counties.

Others are Narok, Migori, Nandi, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Busia, Kisumu, Siaya, Garissa, Kakamega, Kajiado, Marsabit, Samburu and Isiolo.

Magarini Deputy County Commissioner Simon Lokorio said about 30,000 Garashi and Gamra residents were moved to higher grounds following the heavy rains.

OPEN FIELDS

Mr Ambenje told urban and low lying areas residents not walk into or drive through moving water at high speed.

Those living in lightning-prone areas were also urged not to shelter under tall trees, next to grilled windows in houses or walking in open fields while it was raining.

“Drivers should avoid speeding because the roads become slippery and visibility is also reduced during heavy rains. Keep to safer grounds until the flooding subsides,” Mr Ambenje said.