The Kenyan government confirmed on Saturday that seventy-six people have lost their lives due to destructive floods triggered by heavy downpours since March. Residents were also warned to brace up for heavier downpours.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura stated that 29 Kenyans were injured and 19 reported missing.
He also disclosed that Flash floods have submerged roads and neighbourhoods, leading to the displacement of more than 130,000 people across 24,000 households, many of them in the capital Nairobi.
“We deeply regret to announce the tragic loss of an additional six lives in the last 12 hours bringing the total to 76,” he said, adding that 29 Kenyans had sustained injuries and 19 reported missing.
“Nairobi is currently experiencing the highest impact, with a significant death toll of 32 and 16,909 households displaced,” he added.
News Central reports that recent heavy rains and flooding in Kenya and East Africa have caused significant devastation, especially in Nairobi, where 32 people have died and nearly 17,000 households have been displaced.
The situation is worsened by the El Nino weather pattern, leading to stronger-than-usual rain.
The Seven Forks hydropower project in Kenya’s Tana River is at full capacity, and has raised concerns about potential overflow. Residents have been advised to move to higher ground.
Neighbouring countries like Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda have also faced severe flooding and displacement due to the heavy rains associated with El Nino.