Floods displace hundreds as death toll rises to 87

More than 300 families from Maembeni village in Kisumu have been rendered homeless after River Nyando broke its banks, sweeping across homes and farms.

Similarly, over 300 acres of crops have been destroyed in Baringo as heavy rains continue to pound most parts of the country.

At Maembeni village in Nyando, some residents are literally relocating their houses as the aftermath of the ongoing rains is revealed in a carpet of water across the village, leaving more than 300 families across Kisumu East and Nyando sub-counties without a roof over their heads.

Nerea Adhiambo, another resident, stated, “Wale walitengeneza dyke hawakutengeza vizuri. Wametengeneza kitu inakaa tu kama ile ya kucheza boli.”

In Baringo County, it is was race against time as farmers try to salvage whatever remains before the skies open again. Three hundred and forty acres of maize were destroyed on Monday, with losses expected to increase if the rains persist.

“Wakulima saa hii wanakaa na mahindi yao ndani ya maji wanasubiri tractor. Mimi nimeumia sana,” said Leonard Kibiwot.

In Kirinyaga, an unidentified body was retrieved from River Nyamindi. It is suspected the man was swept away while trying to cross the river, bringing the death toll to 87.

“Hii mto inakuwa na hatari sana wakati mvua inanyesha. Wakati mvua inaanza hatari itaongezeka. Tafadhali tusiogelee wala kupita kwa mto bila kujali,” warned Martin Kagunda of Kenya Red Cross.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a notice to residents along the Sosiani and Tana rivers in Uasin Gishu and Tana River counties to move to higher grounds after the rivers also broke their banks.

Meteorologists have warned that the heavy rains are expected to continue from Thursday to Sunday.