Kenya: Humanitarian impact of heavy rains and flooding - Flash Update #1 (8 November 2023)

Highlights

• The third and fourth weeks of October marked the beginning of the rainy season (October – December) characterized by heavy storms that caused flooding, particularly along the Coastal strip, in some areas of the Central Highlands, Southeast lowlands and several areas of Northwest and Northeastern Kenya.

• Nearly 6,000 households (nearly 36,000 people) have been displaced and 17 people have died, over a thousand livestock and 221 acres of agricultural farmland have been lost as of 5 November, according to initial reports.

• Cumulatively, nearly 10,230 households (61,380 people) have been affected since the start of the rainy season. These numbers are expected to spike as more rainfall is forecasted.

• Humanitarian partners are working with authorities to assess the needs, alongside scaling up response to the affected communities.

• Most urgent humanitarian needs include shelter and non-food items, food, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and facilities to relocate to and rescue to those marooned by flooding.

• The enhanced rains are a result of El Niño conditions and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) which are currently present in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean respectively, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

Situation Overview:

Heavy rains, flash floods, and increasing river levels have caused fatalities, displacement of thousands of people as well as infrastructure damage, livestock and property losses, and restricted access to roads in various regions in Kenya. Areas of particular concern include Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Tana River and parts of the upper eastern areas of Kenya. On 5 November, the Tana and Arthi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) issued a statement warning that recent heavy rains have caused water levels to rise, posing a significant risk to the safety of communities in low-lying areas especially in Kitui, Garissa and Tana River counties. They urged communities in these areas to move to higher ground for safety.

By mid-October, floods at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County had impacted over 43 refugee families. At least five people, including women and children, are said to have drowned and died in various rivers in the county, according to initial reports. Residents living near the Turkwel River, and other nearby rivers have been advised to move to higher ground for safety. Eleven houses in Loima Sub-County were reportedly flooded, and an unknown number of livestock were washed away. Some roads were also reportedly rendered impassable. According to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA), intense rains in Marsabit County caused the Malgis River to overflow its banks, resulting in flooding that affected Logologo and the Isiolo— Marsabit – Moyale Road. River Hallam became impassable cutting off road access between Kargi and Marsabit towns. This has impacted schoolchildren, particularly those sitting for exams, transportation of patients, and expectant mothers, and delivery of necessary supplies. To facilitate transportation between the two towns, a bridge over the Hallam River will need to be built. Three people reportedly died in the county; one of them in Laisamis Sub-County. Roads in South Horr and downstream in Samburu County, as well as farmland, were destroyed in the lowlands of Mount Kulal.

An estimated 1,821 households in Mandera County were displaced due to flash flooding in different locations including in Mandera North, Hareri Village and Dariqa Sub-Location in Mandera East, Shimbir Fatuma in Mandera South and Lafey Town. Some of the displaced people moved in with relatives or family. In addition to 150 homes and 120 toilets, public service infrastructure and commercial services also suffered damage from heavy rains and flooding. Authorities and partners are worried about the potential risk of waterborne diseases due to contamination, waterlogging, and restricted access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Heavy rains in Mandera South Sub-County caused the nearby dam to overflow, destroying buildings and infrastructure. The River Daua in Mandera East Sub-County overflowed its banks, inundating nearby villages and agricultural fields.

Heavy rains and flooding in Wajir County have persisted impacting mainly Lafaley, Eldas, El Boru idho, Buna, Della towns, and Wajir municipality affecting an estimated 1,625 households. Initial reports indicate that five people died and nearly 100 shops, 231 latrines and three boreholes were damaged. Some 55 homes in Lafaley area of Wajir's Tarbaj Sub-County were submerged. School infrastructure was also partially destroyed. Heavy rains in Eldas Sub-County of Dela Town caused scores of households to be displaced and resulted in the loss of household items. Four toilets were destroyed, and 24 kiosks were submerged. Some of the affected households have relocated to Dela Primary School. Due to inadequate drainage systems, the Orahey market located on Mandera Road in Wajir Municipality experienced flooding as well.

Two children in Garissa County died due to flooding in Lagdera Sub-County, while 1,050 households have been displaced in Gurufa Town, Koma Gababa and Liboi. The rising water levels in the Tana River Delta present an immediate flooding threat to more than 2,000 households. The villages of Bulla Dhima, Diid, Buwa, Asako, and Mbalambala are also among the most affected. In the refugee camps of Dadaab and Hagadera, six cases of cholera were reported. In Mombasa County, flooding in Kibarani and a section of Mombasa-Changamwe Road was cut off and several vehicles were submerged at the newly built Makupa Bridge in the outbound lane.

Locations severely affected include Junda in Kisauni where a mudslide was reported and the Kibarani area. In Meru County, an estimated 718 households have been affected - 136 of them displaced by flooding -, while a man was swept away by floods at Ikamate Bridge in Ndoleni area. The Ikamate Bridge connecting Igembe North and Igembe Central was impassible and the Meru-Maua Road just before Kirindine was cut off. In Isiolo County, where 884 households have been affected, a man on a motorbike was swept away, according to reports, while the Kina-Kulamawe Road is flooded and impassable. In West Pokot County, Kadoto River along Marich Pass Road was flooded disrupting movement along Kitale-Lodwar Road, while heavy rainfall reportedly delayed the start of national exams at some schools.