Kenya: Floods Situation Report No. 2, 05 Jan 2010

I. HIGHLIGHTS

- An estimated 23 411 people affected by floods in Northern, Central and Western Kenya

- The majority of the affected are in Turkana East in Northern Kenya

- Twenty-one (21) people confirmed dead from flooding in eight districts since December 2009

- Roads, bridges and other infrastructure suffer massive damage

- Marooned villages inaccessible challenging the response

- Post-Election Violence IDPs in tented Transit camps in Naivasha affected by floods

II. Situation Overview

Heavy rainfall between the 27th December 2009 and 5rd January 2010 has caused massive flooding in Northern, Central and Western Kenya leaving an estimated 23 411 people affected by floods. Thousands more are feared to be at risk if heavy rains persist. Roads, Bridges and other infrastructure (school buildings, business premises) have been damaged. Reports indicate that thousands of livestock have been washed away. Crops have also been damaged although the impact is yet to be fully assessed. The Kenya Red Cross Society estimates that 5 or more people have died from flooding across the country during this period.

In Turkana (northern Kenya), the District Commissioner states that 20, 000 people in seven villages (Morulem, Katilia, Elelea, Lopeduru, Kaibole, Lokubae and Nakukula/Lochakula) are severely affected by floods through displacement, loss of life, damage/loss of shelter and other assets, and loss of livelihoods. Two irrigation canals and river banks have been destroyed and river water have flooded nearby villages. In Morulem Scheme, the whole community has been evacuated to Lokori area and now hosted at the Lokori RCEA Church. Sections of the road between Lodwar and Lokori have been swept away by the floods although Lokori is still accessible by road. Most affected is the section around Kalemngorok. The main highway to Lodwar was swept away at Lokichar during the last week of December. World Vision reports that there have been repairs and normal transportation resumed on 5 January. In East Pokot, 210 households have been displaced by floods. Areas affected in East Pokot are Longewani and Ngambo. Sixty-four (64) households in West Pokot are affected by the floods.

In western Kenya, Nyando district, heavy rains pummeled the districts for three consecutive days (1-3 January) causing flash floods in four sub- locations of North Nyakach- Gem Rae, Gen Nam, Nyakongo and Ayweyo - and affecting 12 villages. An estimated 340 households have been affected with another 2,000 people said to be at risk of displacement. The Kenya Red Cross Society reports that an estimated 300 people (47 households) have been evacuated to safer and higher grounds at St. Alloys evacuation site.

Homa Bay, western Kenya, heavy rains caused flooding on 29 December and affected 296 persons in 81 households. The floods swept away parts of the community's farms and disrupted the fishing activities which form a main source of livelihoods to the population. In Naivasha (central Kenya), 1115 households have been affected by floods, among them post-election violence IDPs in Transit camps. The 1000 IDP households' dire humanitarian situation with poor tented shelter has been exacerbated by the heavy rains.

Heavy rains on 12/13 December in western Kenya caused flooding and affected some 300 households who were displaced to family and friends. The displacements were temporary and families started to return to their homes in Nyando district, three villages were marooned and several pit latrines submerged. On 23 December, two people died in Nairobi after heavy rains caused uprooted trees which fell on moving vehicles. The Kenya Red Cross reports that between December 2009 and 5 January 2010, 21 people have been confirmed dead from consequences of heavy downpours in eight districts.