As people in Kenya tally the number of properties lost, heavy rains fall

Residents of Kenya are calculating their losses as severe floods continue to devastate their properties throughout the nation.

The Kenyan government issued an alert on Wednesday of last week in response to the Masinga Dam’s water leak. The dam’s 1056.5 cubic meter capacity has been exceeded, making it the biggest water reservoir in the nation used for electricity generation.

Following recent severe rains, flooding in the North Rift region has resulted in the displacement of over 400 families and the damage or submersion of many hectares of food crops.

Infrastructure and roads have also been harmed by the floods. There have been disruptions to transport services in multiple regions throughout the region.

Due to dams and rivers overflowing their banks, flash floods have destroyed properties in Turkana, West Pokot, and Elgeyo-Marakwet departments.

Kenyans should prepare for more intense rain, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

To stop an outbreak of waterborne disease, the Kenya Red Cross Society and the county governments in the area are providing medical supplies and medications to flood-displaced households.

Lake Turkana overflowed its banks, causing floods in other areas of Turkana County as well.

Numerous villagers who depend on the lake for fish are in grave danger of losing their lives as a result of the lake’s unusual swelling.

“During the past 24 hours, Lodwar town has seen flash floods. The region’s rivers and dams can overflow as a result of the intense rains, according to Oscar Okumu, manager of the Red Cross in North Rift Kenya.

He continued by saying that 360 families in Lodwar, Turkana County, had to be evacuated due to flooding and were in need of both food and non-food supplies.

Residents living close to Lake Turkana’s shoreline are having to spend their evenings outside in the cold after the lake’s water level increased and buried fishing gear and settlements.

According to Mr. Okumu, “most flood-affected families need food and non-food items, shelter, psychological and social support, and food.”

Flooding has not been recorded in Trans Nzoia County, but a contingency team has been established by the county government and the Kenya Red Cross in case of emergency.

The government of Nairobi County has ordered the administrators of the large Mukuru slum, where land grabpers have built structures on riparian land along the Ngong River, to take them down.

Floods have abandoned the homes of slum dwellers.

An official from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), who wished to remain anonymous, stated: “There are numerous structures sprouting up on the adjacent riparian land, and some extend from the Old Mukuru-Reuben slum.” There is a risk of encroachment close to the Embakasi bridge.

The weatherman said on Sunday that the rains are not yet done and will keep coming till June.

Meanwhile, the torrential rains have destroyed a crucial route that connects the counties of Nyandarua and Laikipia, running from the Gwa Kungu market through Pesi to Nanyuki. As a result, travelers are now compelled to take the lengthier Kagondo-Muthiga road. This detour takes you through Muruku Market and adds 20 kilometers to the trip.

Jacob Mwangi, a matatu driver, bemoaned the government’s disregard for road upkeep during the previous two years. Authorities have warned villagers living near Muthiga Dam of an impending flood, adding to the misery of the locals.

The dam is quite dangerous and completely filled. To prevent a disaster, local leaders have received an urgent request from the residents to replace the dam gates.

Six dairy cows were killed by floodwaters from the Karoroha River in Kinangop Constituency. Large tracts of farmland have been drowned, severely hurting the locals whose livelihood is derived from farming.

The Meteorological Department in Samburu County has issued a high alert to residents in lowland areas due to the ongoing damage caused by a severe downpour.

The Met Department stated in a statement that “Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, plains, and urban areas with poor drainage.”

Because of the intense rains that have been falling all throughout the country, the water levels in the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu East climbed significantly yesterday.

Rainfall is predicted to continue throughout the nation, which puts Kenyans who live in lowlands and beside rivers in grave danger due to flooded rivers.

Ruaka, Kiambu County, has seen death and destruction as a result of the rains. There has been one confirmed death.

Due to Monday night’s intense downpour, houses in Kiambu County, particularly in Ruaka and Thindigua, were seen to be covered in water on Tuesday.

On Monday, a perimeter wall fell, leaving one person pronounced dead and two injured. Numerous homes in the vicinity are now underwater.

Tenants of the impacted residential buildings have already received a notice from Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to leave until the county government determines their fitness and safety.

Wamatangi announced on Monday that the county administration will keep conducting inspections in order to prevent any situation in which structures collapse or cave in as a result of subpar construction. The buildings that were not allowed are also the focus of the inspection.