•The flash flood victims included children and women who were in their respective homes when the tragedy struck at night.
•Athi River East Subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae said a rescue team swung into action following the victims' distress call.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
More than 25 families in Seme village in Katani, Machakos County were on Saturday night evacuated after their houses got flooded.
The flash flood victims included children and women who were in their respective homes when the tragedy struck at night.
Athi River East Subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae said a rescue team swung into action following the victims' distress call.
The team, led by the Kenya Red Cross was immediately mobilised to the help the affected families.
"We have more flooding reported in Seme, Kamulu, Syokimau and Kwa Mbemba areas among other places after a heavy downpour pondered JKIA last night," Mbae told the Star on Sunday.
"In Seme, about 25 households were evacuated with majority staying with their neighbours on safe higher grounds. All victims in Seme were successfully rescued at night," Mbae said.
The Kenya Red Cross response team and community members are currently conducting rescue operations in Kamalu's Okoa Bridge and Kwa Mbemba areas both within Athi River subcounty.
"Kwa Mbemba village along Mombasa road is also flooded alongside Kamulu's Okoa Bridge area. The operations are going on well with those on site reporting that water levels are subsiding," Mbae said.
Mbae said over 200 people were affected in Kwa Mbemba.
"Some of the flood victims are adamant to leave their residences," Mbae added.
There was reported heavy rains in most parts of Machakos and Nairobi counties leading to the flooding.
Parts of the Nairobi - Mombasa highway was also flooded hampering transport out and into the Nairobi City.
Mbae, however, said no fatalities had been reported within Athi River subcounty following the night floods.
The situation has made most roads in the affected areas impassible.
Mlolongo - Quarry - Katani road is seriously dilapidated with most motorists opting for alternative routes passing through Syokimau that are equally flooded apparently.
Meanwhile, several victims of the floods who were earlier rescued from their marooned and flooded roads in Athi River are still in Athi River Primary School.
The 26 rescued while trapped at a village in Kinanie are at Kinanie Health Centre.
The two centres are the designated government's camps to hold those displaced by floods.
Some have, however, been accommodated by friends and relatives while others sought alternative rental houses where they had since moved with their families.
River Athi has overflown and bust its banks following heavy downpour in higher grounds like Kajiado County.
Security agencies have continued to call on those living in lower grounds or along, near rivers like Athi and riparian areas to move to higher and safer grounds.
Those in rescue centres have continued receiving relief food alongside other essentials from the government.