- County Commissioner Jack Obuo said authorities are monitoring landslides-prone areas to avert further loss of life as heavy rains continue pounding the country.
- The deaths in Embu add to at least 10 others reported in Makueni County after a lorry that attempted to cross the swollen Muatine River at Sultan Hamud.
Five people have been confirmed dead by drowning in Embu County as floods continue to wreak havoc in most parts of the country.
Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo said two people drowned in Mbeere South, two in Mwea and one in Embu West.
Obuo said authorities are monitoring landslides-prone areas to avert further loss of life as heavy rains continue pounding the country.
“Most in Embu East we have mapped out about four to five villages and we are also monitoring Gikuuri road which had developed cracks,” he said on Friday evening.
“We are worried the cracks may lead to landslides,” the county commissioner added, further revealing that 16 villages in three locations in the Ivurori area are also on the radar for flood response in case of disaster.
The deaths in Embu add to at least 10 others reported in Makueni county after a lorry that attempted to cross the swollen Muatine River at Sultan Hamud was swept away by raging flood waters.
The victims had hiked a lift on the lorry that was ferrying sand and was attempting to cross over to the Ngoto area in Kilome Subcounty.
Wailing crowds on either side of the road watched helplessly as the unfortunate tragedy unfolded and as raging waters swept the helpless joy riders downstream.
Kenya Red Cross said it deployed first responders to the scene of the accident.
“Seven individuals were rescued, and promptly taken to Sultan Hamud Sub County Hospital following the incident. Our response efforts remain ongoing,” the humanitarian agency said.
The tragedy was also waiting to happen at a spot on the Garissa-Madogo road where clips shared online showed motorists attempting to cross a flooded section of the road.
In its update on Thursday, the Kenya Red Cross said floods had claimed at least 45 people since March, including 10 since Monday.
Authorities are yet to issue updated statistics but the number is believed to have surged by now in light of the new reported cases across the country.
In Kisii, residents were Thursday evening still trying to retrieve the remains of a woman who fell into River Keiyani late Tuesday.
Gladys Oroo, 45, was returning home from the farm in the neighbouring Transmara when the rickety bridge gave way.
A resident involved in the search said they had managed to recover only parts of the lower abdomen after a gruelling search.