The heavy rainfall over the past few days has led to extensive flooding in various areas of Kenya, transforming streets into violent streams and resulting in the loss of many lives. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the flooding in the country has impacted 23 out of the 47 counties, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 individuals and forcing over 40,000 people to evacuate their homes.
This information was provided by the Kenya Red Cross Society. East Africa has experienced an increase in seasonal rainfall due to the continuous presence of El Niño, a phenomenon where the equatorial Pacific Ocean warms up causing higher wind shear over the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The heavy rain first hit Kenya in March, marking the beginning of the country’s long rainy season. The Kenya Meteorological Department noted that the rainfall has intensified in the past week.
8,000 acres of flooded land and close to 5,000 livestock casualties.
During the ongoing long rainy season, the Kenya Red Cross announced that they have successfully rescued a total of 188 individuals so far. The heavy rains, which usually occur from March to May, have resulted in approximately 8,000 acres of flooded land and close to 5,000 Livestock casualties. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is currently facing a severe crisis with more than 31,000 individuals forced to leave their homes as a result of the violent flooding.
More so, the majority of those affected reside in informal settlements that lack proper drainage systems, as reported by OCHA. A video shared on Social Media by Nairobi County’s senator, Edwin Sifuna, depicts the devastating scenes of submerged homes and trapped residents seeking refuge on the rooftops. Sifuna expressed deep concern in the post on April 24, 2024, regarding the heightened severity of the situation in Nairobi. Despite the County Government’s best efforts, they are struggling to manage.
Gov’t has intensified its coordinated efforts to respond to the crisis.
Sifuna urged for the mobilization of all national emergency services to prevent loss of life. On April 25, 2024, Kithure Kindiki, the cabinet secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Interior, announced that the government has intensified its coordinated efforts to respond to the crisis by organizing search and rescue missions, ensuring the safety of those in danger, and providing aid to those who have been displaced. Kindiki stressed the importance of the public collaborating with teams assigned to ensure safety, health, risk management, emergency response, and communication.
These teams are tasked with monitoring, reporting, and providing assistance to individuals in need of help. At the beginning of the week, drones from the Kenya Red Cross were used to locate a child who was stranded and isolated by floodwaters in Machakos County. The Kenya Red Cross then contacted the National Police Service of Kenya, who deployed officers to rescue the child using a helicopter. The child was safely reunited with his family after the rescue. Heavy rain and sudden floods have caused widespread disruptions to transportation across the country.
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Kenya Railways halted commuter train operations on April 24, 2024, and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority has implemented partial closures on various key roads in Nairobi. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, there is an expectation of increased heavy rainfall in the upcoming days for various regions of the country, including Nairobi. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, speaking at a press conference on April 25, 2024, advised residents in low-lying areas to consider relocating to higher ground in preparation for the anticipated above normal precipitation.