Kenya: Heavy Rains and Flooding Update - Flash Update #4 (03 May 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Torrential rains and flash floods continued to cause deadly havoc across the country, as the Government of Kenya warns that coastal areas will likely be affected by Cyclone Hidaya in the next few days.

• On 3 May, the President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, directed the Ministry of Education to postpone indefinitely the reopening of schools for the second term due to flooding in the country.

• An estimated 210 people have been killed, 164 injured, 72 missing, while 194,305 people have been displaced and nearly 205,000 people affected by heavy rains and flooding as of 3 May, according to the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC).

• At least 8,565 livestock have been lost, 36,344 acres of croplands and 46 roads damaged, 608 small businesses, 39 schools, and 13 health facilities have also been affected as of 2 May, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).

• 34 cholera cases have been reported in Garsen Sub-County in Tana River County; Garsen West Ward (32) and Garsen Central Ward (2).

• Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nakuru, Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay, Machakos and Tana River, which are among the worst-affected areas.

• The Government and humanitarian partners are scaling up response. However, food, non-food needs, and additional resources for search and rescue operations are identified as immediate needs in the most affected counties.

• Heavy rains are expected to continue over several parts of the country in the first week of May with flooding expected in low-lying areas, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

SITUATION OVERVIEW & HUMANITARIAN IMPACTS

The impact of heavy rains and flash floods continued to escalate, resulting in approximately 210 people dead, 164 injured, 72 people missing, 194,305 people displaced, and nearly 205,000 affected across the country as of 3 May, according to the NDOC. At least 8,565 livestock have been lost, 36,344 acres of croplands and 46 roads damaged, 608 small businesses, 39 schools and 13 health facilities (nine in Tana River, one in Kisumu Central, one in Kajiado West, one in Bunyala/Busia, one in Juja/Kiambu) affected as of 1 May, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). On 29 April, a boat carrying 43 passengers capsized at the Kona Punda-Mororo section of the Nairobi-Garissa Road. About 23 people were rescued, 7 bodies were retrieved and 13 people are still missing. As of 3 May, major flooding occurred in Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Narok, Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri, Nakuru, Laikipia, Garissa, Mandera, and Homabay Counties, while Muranga, Nyeri, and Nakuru Counties experienced landslides and mudslides. On 2 May, the government issued a vacation and evacuation order to all people residing in the immediate neighbourhoods of 178 filled-up or near filled-up dams or water reservoirs in 33 counties to move out immediately within 24 hours on 2 May 2024 or face mandatory evacuation for their safety. On 3 May, the President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, has directed the Ministry of Education to postpone indefinitely the reopening of schools for the second term due to flooding in the country. Schools were scheduled to reopen for the second term on 29 April but were delayed until 6 May 2024.

Nairobi County is among the worst-affected with an estimated 147,061 people affected and 20,968 families displaced by the heavy rainfall. In Kajiado County (Ngurumani and Kitengela West), flooding inundated some houses and displaced about 200 families. In Machakos County, houses were also inundated in Joska, Matungulu, and Syokimau with one person reportedly marooned in Ndonyo Sabuk. About 20 people lost their houses in Athi near Kabaa.

In Narok County, the River Talek broke its banks affecting several people, including tourists in Maasai Mara and 12 hotels. The government deployed four helicopters and 40 people were rescued. In Kiambu County, the houses in Kikuyu, Kahawa Sukari, Tora and Juja areas were inundated due to the blockage of the drainage system. In Laikipia County, one person was swept away by floods in Pesi River. In Mandera County, River Dawa burst its bank causing flooding downstream and the impact is yet to be established. In Homabay County, Yongo, Matunga villages in Nyatoto sub-location were also affected by flooding.

Accessing some of the affected areas may be constrained as some of the main roads are either damaged or closed as a precaution. The number of roads that have been cut off or closed have increased, which has severely affected the movement of goods and services. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has closed several roads across the country. In Garissa County, the Habaswein-Abakore-Dadaab Road is closed. In Tana River County, on 28 April, the main Nairobi-Garissa Road was cut off at Mororo section. The Garissa-Madogo-Bangali Road is also closed. In West Pokot County, the Kapenguria-Lodwar Road is closed at Lous trading centre. In Embu County, the Embu-Meru Road is closed at Mutunduri. In Kajiado County, the Magadi-Kiserian Road, and Magadi-Oletepis Road were rendered impassable. In Muranga County, Tuthu-Karururo Road was blocked by landslide. In Nakuru County, the Sanmarico-Rigogo Road, Salgaa-Njoro Road are impassable. In Machakos County, River Athi Bridge at Kamulu/Joska is impassible. Landslides were also reported in Muranga at the Tuthe sub-location, in Nyeri at Ngomongo village and Nakuru in Mai Mahiu Counties causing houses to collapse and displaced people. Flooding also caused the blockage of Old Kijabe railway tunnel in Nakuru County, where 50 people were reportedly killed, 73 were injured and 69 are missing. About 50 families have been affected in nine villages.

Continued heavy flooding and water stagnation may trigger water-borne, vector-borne and livestock diseases. According to health authorities, 34 cholera cases have been reported in Garsen Sub-County in Tana River County; Garsen West Ward (32) and Garsen Central Ward (2) as of 2 May. Surveillance in the flood-affected counties has been enhanced. Rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country in the first week of May with flooding expected in low-lying areas. The heavy rainfall is likely to continue in the central highlands including Nairobi, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria basin, the Coastal strip, parts of the Southeastern lowlands and parts of Northern Kenya, according to the forecast for 1 May to 8 May 2024 by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). The expected heavy rainfall is likely to be accompanied by strong winds, thunder, and lightning. Large waves and strong winds may affect marine activities.