- The Kenya Red Cross in a statement on Tuesday said the heavy rains have affected Nairobi, the Coastal areas and the Central region.
- Other regions affected by the heavy downpour include the Western Highlands, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern regions.
Image: FILE
At least 23 counties have been affected by flash floods as heavy rains continue to pound several parts of the country.
The Kenya Red Cross in a statement on Tuesday said the heavy rains have affected Nairobi, the Coastal areas and the Central region.
Other regions affected by the heavy downpour include the Western Highlands, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern regions.
"Since the onset of the March-April-May (MAM) rains, multiple counties have felt its effects, resulting in households being affected, displacements, establishment of displacement camps, submerged arable land, impacted businesses and livestock deaths," KRC said.
According to data by Red Cross, 24, 741 households have been adversely affected with 11,206 getting displaced due to the floods.
The KRC further noted that more than 27,716 acres of land have been submerged while 4,824 livestock deaths recorded.
Red Cross said at least 188 people have been rescued and 27 injured, with emergency response being put in place to ensure those displaced get shelter.
"The Kenya Red Cross Society has proactively prepared for these challenges by ensuring prompt emergency responses, conducting search and rescue missions, prepositioning shelter kits and distributing essential supplies," it said.
As of April 22, four IDP camps had been set up to shelter the displaced persons and at least 20,000 sanitation items had been distributed.
Red Cross further said that 15 roads and 24 schools across the country had been affected by the intense rains.
The government, on Wednesday, listed areas that are likely to experience flooding during the ongoing long rains.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said areas along the lakes and rivers, low-laying areas and places with poor drainage are prone to flooding.
In Western Kenya, communities along lakes and rivers in HomaBay, Siaya, Busia, Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni are likely to experience flooding.
Other low-lying areas that risk flooding are Migori, Kakamega and Vihiga if the number of daily precipitation increases beyond the prevailing levels.
Narok, Kajiado and Mombasa are also at risk of flooding.
Kindiki said hilly areas traditionally prone to mudslides include, Makueni, Nyeri, Murang’a and West Pokot counties.
He said the weather forecast for the ongoing long rains presents the potential for flooding.
Urban areas with clogged or poor drainage and public or private water reservoirs across the country may also flood if the precipitation continues uninterrupted.
Kindiki said evacuation orders in some parts of the country may be issued to ensure public safety.
"The risk of significant flooding in various parts of the country has put the government on high alert. Accordingly, the public is hereby notified to exercise caution, plan their movements and avoid risky behaviour in moving waters," he said.
The CS said the government is prepared to mitigate any adverse effects of flooding in the country.