- He added that approximately 285,681 people have been impacted by the heavy rains.
- According to the CS, approximately 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods.
Image: MINA
The ongoing floods across the country have now claimed at least 229 people after one person died in the last 24 hours.
On Monday, the Ministry of Interior said that a cumulative 174 people have been reported injured.
At least 75 people are currently missing and 46,937 households have been displaced affecting approximately 234,685 people.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said that 167 camps have been set up across 22 Counties hosting 70,451 people.
He added that approximately 285,681 people have been impacted by the heavy rains.
According to the CS, approximately 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods.
He added that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecasted to persist in 20 Counties.
They include the Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay); Western(Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia); Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyandarua); and Coast (Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu).
Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, riparian areas and urban areas while landslides/mudslides may occur in areas with steep slopes, escarpments and ravines.
Lake Victoria is projected to continue causing backflow and flooding of the Counties in the Lake Victoria Basin.
"Heavy rainfall, as an after-effect of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, is also forecasted offshore and further inland along the Coast region with strong winds and large waves already experienced in Kwale," Kindiki said.
Occasional rainfall is forecasted in Eastern (Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru); Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Narok, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo); and Nairobi.
Most parts of the North West (Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit), North Eastern (Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera), and South Eastern (Taita, Taveta, Tana River) regions are forecasted to be generally dry.
The CS said that the government has put forward measures to mitigate the floods.
He added that a nationwide assessment of all dams has been conducted and 192 dams were identified to be high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast(22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).
A 24-hour evacuation notice effective May 2, 2024, was issued to settlements in 33 Counties that are within 178 of these high-risk dams and water reservoirs.
He said the government is facilitating logistical support, temporary shelter and essential supplies to those affected.
Kindiki said that air and boat rescue operations are ongoing in Kisumu County with the county government, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Red Cross responding to the emergency and evacuating residents marooned after River Nyando burst its banks.
He added that emergency response teams from Narok County alongside the County Security team and Red Cross successfully evacuated 90 individuals in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed.
"No fatalities were reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate. KDF was similarly deployed to Joska, Machakos County on the Athi Riverbridge. The rescue operation has ended having recorded no fatalities and 59 people rescued."