Isiolo starts food distribution to 12,000 households affected by floods

Isiolo County has come to the aid of 12, 000 households that have been affected by the ongoing floods.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo on Friday kicked off the distribution exercise of food for the affected people across the 10 wards.

"The rains are here and despite being blessings, some households have been affected and the items here today will help cushion the situation," he said.

Each of the households will receive 6kg of maize flour, 6kg of rice, and cooking oil.

The families will also receive corn beef, mosquito nets, tents, mattresses, kitchen sets, sleeping mats and blankets.

Bassa, Erasaboru, Ngaremara, Merti, Boji, Kinna, Safi Estate, Bulapesa, Gafarsa, Tractor, Shambani and Mabatini are among the areas worst hit by the floods.

The flagging off took place at the Isiolo police mess where the Governor was accompanied by his Deputy James Lowasa and county assembly speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto.

Going further, Governor Guyo said his administration will use data from the Kenya Red Cross Society to intervene in areas hard by flood.

In addition to that, the Department of Special Program will collaborate with the National Government and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to airlift food and non-food items to Erasaboru and Bassa Cherab wards.

Guyo called on those living along the waterways and lower ground to move to safer ground.

He assured residents that his administration would partner with the World Bank to effectively work on Isiolo's drainage system.

"Isiolo town requires a marshal plan to come up with a proper drainage system that will address the flooding challenges," Guyo added.

 This week, Kenya Red Cross Society, Secretary General Ahmed Idris, said that at least 29 of the country’s 47 counties have now been affected by flooding which began in late October 2023.

"As we speak now, the counties that are most affected in northern parts of the country are; Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Marasbit, Samburu, and Isiolo but the spread is pretty much across the country," Ahmed noted.

He explained that the current situation of floods was complex as there were people still lacking food and at the same time breaking out of diseases.

"We have several disease outbreaks including measles which is in eight counties. We also have a risk of cholera, and confirmed cases are in  Garissa at the refugee camp. So it is a difficult situation," Ahmed said.

However, he emphasized that the government has all things on deck for interns of the responses including multi agencies team coordinated by the State who are responding to this situation.

On Monday Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said that 46 people had lost their lives as a result of the heavy rains and flooding.