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Description of the Event
What happened, where and when?
The March April May season started this year with heavier than usual rains bringing floods, flash floods across the northern and southern parts of the country. At least 12 people have lost their lives and hundreds have been displaced from their homes in Kenya after intense flooding affected several counties over the week from 22 to 27 March 2023.
Significant impacts of the floods began to be reported on 23 March and continued up to 27 March. On 27th March it was reported bad weather including strong winds and heavy rains caused damage in some Western counties (North Western and South Western), mainly in Narok, Kajiado, and West Pokot Counties. From data collected as of 27 March, at least 36,432 people are currently affected across 19 counties are already affected most being in the Western part of the country (North Western and South Western). This include Kisumu, Nyamira, Kisii, Kakamega, Narok, Turkana, Isiolo, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, Kiambu, Siaya, Bungoma and Nairobi. Some counties have reported massive destruction of roads, houses, infrastructures, and crops and deaths have been reported due to the floods. Landslides are also feared across the Rift Valley region, where massive environmental degradation has happened due to rampant tree felling.
Forecasts have warned of further heavy rainfall up to mid/late April 2023 as per the forecast from Kenya Meteorological Department.
Some of the counties affected are also affected by existing cholera outbreaks and food insecurity due to a multi-year ongoing overall drought situation.
Scope and Scale
Since onset of the rainy season March April May (MAM), known as the "long rains", significant rainfall effects have been reported in 19 Counties; Kisumu, Nyamira, Kisii, Kakamega, Narok, Turkana, Isiolo, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, Kiambu, Siaya, Bungoma and Nairobi.
It has been reported that as of 27 March at least 5,038 households have been displaced, 36,432 people affected severely, injuries 10, fatalities 21, and Missing 4. Livestock that survived the devastating drought are now dying from floods, livestock deaths are reported as at least 4,616. It also reported locally there is significant infrastructural damage with some areas cut off from the road and unable to receive relief. There have been several floods incidence from 22 March until 27th and some counties were affected one or two times and rainfall is still coming with intensity. The highest impact recorded in that period are in Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Narok, Waijir County while the other counties have people affected in very scattered ways. Details are as follow:
• In Mandera County, there were a total of 338 HHs displaced by flash floods in Ardhallo and Fincharo villages.
• Marsabit a total of 132 households were displaced at Anona, Waititi, and Lamole locations.
• Isiolo 201 households were affected by flash floods at Kinna location.
• In Narok County, 4 people were rescued and one missing after being swept away by flash floods.
• Kakamega- A bridge connecting Isango and Esokone areas was swept away by flash floods after River lusumu broke its banks.
The flood losses recorded have added misery to hundreds of famine-stricken and are adding a higher exposure for thousands of households to the cholera outbreaks already in an increased curve. While ensuring coordination among the responses in-country, it is critical to launch a response to the existing needs and mitigate the further effect of floods on a health and overall context dire for many of the currently affected communities. exposure to bad weather, the loss of thousands of livestock, and income add to the vulnerability of communities.