El Nino rains: Death toll hits 61 as 80,518 households affected

In their droves, residents of Tana River County are on the move; they are seeking higher safer ground, one that's far removed from the flooded areas that have swept away their homes, their belongings and their livestock.

It is not an easy or cheap undertaking for a people now reeling from the adverse impact of the El Nino rains.

The residents of Bondi village are fearful that the rising water levels will flood their homes and so, women, children men make that self-preserving journey as they ask the government for help to resettle amidst the increasing rain and the attendant risks that come with exposure to contaminated water.

The residents are among thousands of households that have been affected by the ongoing El Nino rains...the Kenya Red Cross says since the rains started in October, 80,518 households have been affected, with nearly half of this amount displaced, Businesses, health facilities and schools have also been affected as the rains continue to pound parts of the country.

The death toll from the rains now stands at 61, while 235 people have been reported injured and a further eight are listed as missing.

Among those reported as missing are two KRA employees whose vehicle was swept away in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County as they travelled to Mombasa.

At the same time, the government now says the El Nino rains are now affecting 33 counties, up from the initial 19.

Indeed, areas of northern Kenya continue to take the worst hits of the rains. In Wajir, entire towns have been submerged, schools, health facilities, and police stations have been rendered inhospitable and lives endangered by rain-triggered landslides.

To mitigate against further loss, both of lives and property, the county and national government are asking residents to heed warnings and vacate the danger zones.

The national government through the deputy president's office continues to call on proactive measures to be undertaken including unclogging of waterways, moving to higher ground, and the release of funds by counties to aid in mitigating the El Nino impact.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says the national government is working to deploy helicopters to rescue those stranded and coordinate aid to those in need of humanitarian help.