Attachments
Description of the Event
Date of event
14-05-2025
What happened, where and when?
Kenya experienced concurrent crises during the March–April–May (MAM) 2025 long-rains season, marked by severe flooding and escalating cholera and Visceral Leishmaniasis outbreaks. Multiple counties requested KRCS support for flood response, cholera control, and vector-borne disease management. Kisumu County sought cholera assistance on 2 May and flood support on 14 May, while national authorities called on KRCS for broader support following joint assessments. On 16 May, the Government ordered evacuations in Tana River and Garissa after the Kiambere Dam overflowed.
The MAM rains affected 23 counties, resulting in widespread flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage. By mid-May, over 14,700 households were affected, 3,650 displaced, 23 fatalities recorded, and significant agricultural and livestock losses reported.
Flooding contributed to a surge in water-borne and vector-borne diseases. By 13 May, the cholera outbreak had reached 244 cases and 11 deaths across Coastal, Lower Eastern, Western, and flood-hit counties such as Migori, Kisumu, Nairobi, and Kwale. Simultaneously, the Visceral Leishmaniasis outbreak, active since January, had resulted in 1,715 cases and 106 deaths, particularly in ASAL counties, including flood-affected Wajir and Marsabit.
KRCS branches and volunteers supported life-saving flood operations, including search and rescue, relief distribution, and reinforcement of public health measures. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, KRCS implemented RCCE, community surveillance, WASH and IPC interventions, as well as vector control activities targeting Leishmaniasis.
The October–November–December (OND) season was relatively mild, but cumulative stress from OND and the more severe MAM rains heightened vulnerability in already at-risk counties.