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The ministry said rice and beans totalling 336,000 kilogrammes have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Muranga counties.
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In a statement, the ministry added that there is a favourable weather forecast in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions.
Image: ENOS TECHE
A total of 115 camps have been set up across 19 counties to accommodate 27,586 people displaced by floods, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has announced.
The ministry said the government has made specific interventions to meet their essential food supplies for the displaced people.
The ministry said rice and beans totalling 336,000 kilogrammes have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Muranga counties.
“There is a need for more food, medical kits, and non-food items in affected counties and where search and rescue operations are still ongoing including Garissa, Kiambu, Migori, Narok, Kajiado, West Pokot, Nyeri, Siaya, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Tana River counties,” the ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry added that there is a favourable weather forecast in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions.
It said the forecast sets the stage for post-flood recovery initiatives in public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities over the weekend.
“However, the continuous heavy rains in the Central region and the overflow of the Seven Forks Dams pose potential flooding in the Tana Delta impacting Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu Counties,” warned the ministry.
The ministry told persons residing within the 30-meter riparian corridor of rivers and other water courses across the country to vacate immediately for their safety.
It noted that mandatory evacuation along rivers in Nairobi county (Mathare, Ngong, and Nairobi rivers) is ongoing with the government facilitating logistical support, temporary shelter and essential supplies to those affected.
The government issued a 24-hour evacuation notice effective May 2, 2024, to settlements in 33 counties that are within 178 high-risk dams and water reservoirs.
It followed a nationwide assessment of all dams in the country that identified 192 dams as high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).
At the same time, despite sunny intervals in the Coast region, the government announced Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is forecasted to bring strong winds and large ocean waves, with heavy rainfall starting Sunday.
Additionally, the Ministry of Interior noted that over 33 counties in Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyandarua); Eastern (Machakos, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit); Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Narok); are forecasted to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Others were Western (Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia); Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay); and Nairobi
“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,” the statement read.
The ministry estimated about 196,296 people have been impacted by the heavy rains that have claimed 210 lives.
It said a total of 125 people have been reported injured while 90 people are currently missing.
“A sum of 1,967 schools have had their infrastructure destroyed by the floods,” it said.
The ministry asked Kenyans to adhere to guidance and evacuation orders provided by authorities, limit travel to essential trips only and stay vigilant over the weekend.