Following floods, Kenya looks for more than 90 missing people

Tuesday saw rescuers scouring across Kenya for at least 91 persons reported missing due to severe flooding, according to the interior ministry.

In a situation report, the ministry stated that at least 46 people had died on Monday morning in mudslides and flash floods in Maai Mahiu town in central Kenya, one more than the previous death toll.

Since the floods began two weeks ago, at least 169 Kenyans have lost their lives as a result of the downpour that has left many buildings in the country trapped and occasionally destroyed.

The floods have so far impacted four counties: Homa Bay, West Pokot, Tana River, and Nairobi.

Each of the counties of Garissa and Homa Bay has reported four deaths. 102 individuals have sustained injuries across all impacted regions of the nation.

After flash floods that swept away large portions of land, cars, homes, and property late Sunday night into Monday morning, Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi announced last night that search and rescue operations were still underway in Kamuchiri and Jerusalem villages in Maai Mahiu. He said this was because there could be more people still trapped in the mud.

At the scene of the disaster in Maai Mahiu, a reporting desk manned by officials from the Kenya Red Cross, Nakuru County, and the national government has been established.

About 150,495 people have been impacted by the 30,099 households that have been forced to leave the nation thus far. A total of 161 households in Sindo, Homa Bay County, have been forced to relocate.
According to government estimates, the nation’s natural catastrophes have impacted 190,942 individuals in total.

“We are actively carrying out search, rescue and recovery operations especially in Nakuru due to the recent mudslides and have rescued 23 people in Garissa,” said the ministry.

The Kenya Railways Corporation was forced to shut down the railway line at Kianduma in Kijabe, Kiambu County, on Monday morning due to damage caused by a mudslide.

In the upcoming weeks, Kenyans should anticipate additional rainfall, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

Not only is Kenya suffering flooding, but neighboring countries including Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda are also experiencing it. As a result, roads and trains have been temporarily closed.

Kenyans have been asked to maintain their vigilance and abide by the safety directives provided by their local authorities.