By Ebi Kesiena
The aftermath of devastating floods in Kenya has continued to unfold, with a staggering toll on human lives and infrastructure.
According to government reports on Monday, the death toll has climbed to 277, with over 100,000 individuals displaced from their homes.
Isaac Mwaura, speaking on behalf of the government, revealed that the flooding has affected 411,825 people, with 58,009 forced to flee their residences in Nairobi County alone. These figures compound the nationwide crisis, with a total of 55,575 households displaced across the country.
The reopening of schools, initially slated for April 29, faced repeated delays due to the severity of the flooding. Finally, on May 13, some schools resumed classes, albeit with many remaining closed for repairs. Mwaura cited flood-related challenges as the cause for 44 primary schools and 27 secondary schools remaining shuttered.
The impact on essential services is profound, with 62 health facilities in 11 counties and 419 Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in 20 counties damaged by the floods. Moreover, 53 cases of cholera have been reported, prompting urgent medical interventions to curb the spread of waterborne diseases.
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To mitigate further risks, authorities have issued directives for individuals residing within the 30-meter riparian corridor of rivers and watercourses to evacuate, while mandatory evacuation procedures are underway, particularly along rivers in Nairobi County.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the government has distributed 1,226.4 metric tons of rice and beans to support affected communities. However, the scale of the disaster demands additional provisions of food, medical supplies, and non-food items to meet the needs of those impacted by the floods.
With 167 camps established to aid flood victims within Kenya, neighboring countries in East Africa, including Tanzania, Somalia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also contending with the dire consequences of heavy rains and flooding.
