Beneath The Covers

Hundreds of Household Affected By Floods Countrywide

Several parts of the country especially the Coast and Western Kenya regions have been affected by flooding following an increased heavy downpour countrywide. In the Western Region, at least 330 Households (HH) with a population of 1650 people have been affected by heavy rains as revealed by a Kenya Red Cross Society’s (KRCS) detailed assessment with houses destroyed and livestock lost. 

Over the Easter period, River Auji and Nyamasaria in Kisumu broke their banks causing unprecedented damage. The affected HH were mainly in Nyaori, Kassagam and Manyatta B in Kisumu East, Gem Rae and Wangaya, Nyando, Nyakach and Rachuonyo Districts.  

Further, several learning institutions including Kassagam Primary and Secondary School, St. Alloys Primary School and St. Joseph Secondary School in Kisumu East District were also affected, thus disrupting learning. In Nyando District, Miruka Primary was hardest hit. Several businesses as well as transport flow along the main Nairobi-Kisumu Highway were also affected after a section of the Nyamasaria Bridge was swept away. River Nyando as well as Ayweyo, Nyamasaria and Ombeyi, which are seasonal rivers, are currently flowing at high speeds and in case of any more rains, the rivers are likely to break their banks and further disrupt human and animal livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Coast Region has also been experiencing heavy rains from Wednesday 20th March 2013. Heavy rains were received in Voi on 20th March; 2013 evening in areas of Sofia, Mabomani and Sikujua villages affecting 22 HH. Most of the affected HHs were integrated into the community. St. Kelvin Primary School was one of the hardest hit institutions with two classrooms being destroyed, hence affecting the learning process. There were also reports of loss of livestock.

On Tuesday 19th March; 2013, Tsangatsini in Kilifi County experienced strong winds coupled with heavy downpour resulting to the falling of four electric poles in Ndatani Area; one house also fell in the same incident. On the same day, in Mulanjo, Madogo Area of Tana River, one village was also affected by

In Taita Taveta County, an elderly woman drowned and her body was found at Mabomani village in the outskirts of Voi town on Wednesday evening.

In Lower Eastern Region, flash floods were reported on Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Kiboko area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway after River Kiboko burst its banks. The KRCS Kibwezi team rescued five people who had been trapped by the floods. In Rongai, three people died after a matatu they were travelling in was washed away by floods. 

In another incident, a man was swept away by floods in Thika after heavy rains experienced in during the night hours of 20th March 2013 and his body recovered early the following morning. 

Meanwhile in Ole Polos Ngong, floods swept away a vehicle trapping one person who sought refuge on the roof of his vehicle while another person swam to safety. The KRCS Emergency Operation Centre informed the Kenya police and the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) who responded and rescued the trapped person.

In Central Region, 10 HH were affected by floods in Kiambu and Riara areas. The KRCS Kiambu Sub – Branch carried out a rapid assessment. On 1st April 2013, a Church also collapsed in Ngurubani town in Kirinyagi, leaving two people injured.

In the Rift Valley heavy rains in Kalokol Area, Turkana, rendered at least 33 HH homeless. 

Heavy rains have also hit the entire Region of Dadaab Refugee Camps since 20th March; 2013, damaging tents and flooding roads. At least 14,280 people were affected by the floods.