Multi-agency team activated as flood death toll rises to 25, thousands displaced

The government has activated a multi-agency emergency response team to coordinate rescue, relief and recovery efforts following deadly floods that have affected several counties across the country.

Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the team convened its first meeting on Saturday following directives from President William Ruto to accelerate interventions and provide updates on the evolving flooding situation.

Addressing a joint press address on behalf of the Multi-Agency Emergency Response Secretariat at Harambee House in Nairobi, Ruku said the coordinated response brings together agencies including the Ministry of Interior, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS), National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, the Nairobi county government and infrastructure agencies such as KeRRA, KeNHA and KURA.

The floods have affected both urban and rural areas across the country, with impacts reported in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Makueni, Nakuru, Migori, Murang’a, Bungoma, Kwale, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi counties.

The CS confirmed that the death toll has so far risen to 25, including 21 adult men and two male children in Nairobi, as well as two children in Kitui County.

“In Nairobi, about 3,500 households have been affected. Kisumu County, 381 households affected after the Sondu-Miriu River burst its banks, impacting Kobala and Kobuya locations,” he said.

He said the government, through the State Department for Special Programmes and humanitarian partners including the Kenya Red Cross, has begun providing immediate assistance to displaced families.

The support includes temporary shelter in churches, schools and neighbouring homes, as well as distribution of food, non-food items and hygiene kits.

To strengthen response at the local level, all sub-counties have been directed to establish public information desks, emergency response centres and rapid response stations to assist affected residents. Deputy County Commissioners are coordinating support for households at the sub-county level.

CS Ruku said the floods have also caused extensive damage to infrastructure across several counties.

He revealed that roads and bridges have been damaged or submerged in various areas including the Wote–Emali Road and Kyamelu Bridge in Makueni, Hellena Bridge in Kajiado, Kabare–Kiringa Bridge in Kirinyaga, Kimama footbridge in Bungoma, and River Migori Bridge in Migori County.

Within Nairobi, several major roads - including Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Lang’ata Road, Mpaka Road in Parklands and access routes along Kangundo Road - were disrupted by floodwaters, although authorities say traffic is gradually returning to normal after interventions by national and county agencies.

The government and the Nairobi County administration are also working to unclog blocked drainage systems to improve water flow and reduce further flooding in the city.

“A number of schools across the country have been severely affected by the rains and floods especially, classrooms, dorms and fields,” said Ruku.

“So far 15 schools have been affected in Nairobi. We are collecting and collating data on all affected schools Through the ministry of education, across the country and will communicate as soon as the exercise is completed.”

Meanwhile, power outages have been reported in several flooded areas after electricity lines were damaged.

Kenya Power has deployed more than 800 technicians, mobile generators and repair teams to restore supply and secure flooded substations.

Rescue operations have been bolstered by the deployment of KDF rapid response units, the National Disaster Management Unit and other emergency teams who have been assisting with evacuations, rescuing stranded residents and motorists, and securing critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Service personnel have been mobilised to support ground operations including debris clearance, logistics and distribution of aid to affected communities.

The government urged Kenyans living in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground, avoid flooded roads and rivers, and rely only on official updates from the Kenya Meteorological Department and government agencies.

Authorities also advised residents to report emergencies through national disaster hotlines and to observe basic safety measures such as boiling drinking water and maintaining hygiene to prevent disease outbreaks.

Ruku assured the public that the government has mobilised sufficient resources and personnel to respond to the crisis and restore normalcy in affected areas.