Kenya: Heavy Rains and Flooding Update - Flash Update #1 (11 April 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The last week of March marked the start of the long rains season (March to May) characterised by isolated heavy storms that caused heavy rainfall and flash floods in several parts of the country.

• At least 13 people have died, nearly 3,000 households displaced, over 339 livestock killed, and unknown acres of croplands lost due to flooding in the country, according to initial reports.

• Areas of particular concern include Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Kiambu, Meru, Kisumu, Nairobi and Kitui counties.

• Humanitarian partners are moving emergency shelter and non-food items to regions at risk of flooding while working with authorities to assess the needs alongside scaling up response to affected communities.

• Authorities have issued advisories on the continuation of heavy rainfall in most parts of the country from 9 – 15 April.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

More than 13 people have died, nearly 20,000 people (nearly 4,000 households) affected including an estimated 15,000 people (3,000 households) displaced due to heavy rains and flash floods, across the country as of 9 April, according to authorities and the Kenya Red Cross Society. The last week of March marked the start of the long rains (March to May) season which has been characterised by heavy rains and floods that have led to an increase of water levels in rivers, infrastructural damage, livestock and property losses, and restricted access to roads in various regions of Kenya. Areas of particular concern include Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Kiambu, Meru, Kisumu, Nairobi and Kitui counties.

In Garissa County, Hulugho, Ijara, Masalani, Bothai, Liboi and Fafi sub-counties have been cut off, while farms along River Tana have flooded resulting in crop losses. An estimated 520 people (104 households) have been displaced in Tana River County and are hosted at Water Ground site (80 households) and Farmers Training College-FTC (24 households) in Garissa Township, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. These numbers are anticipated to increase as water levels continue to rise due to the ongoing rainfall in upper Tana River Basin.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has also temporarily closed some roads in Garissa, Marsabit and Tana River counties due to flooding. April is typically the peak of the long rains and subsequently, flooding.

In Kirinyaga County, about 7,500 people (1,500 households) were affected including 3,500 (700 households) displaced by floods in Mwea West, after Thiba River burst its banks, resulting in extensive damage to homes, properties, and destruction of crops in the Mwea irrigation scheme on 6 April. The situation was reportedly worsened by poor drainage. This has led to waterlogging of nearby rice fields and the overflowing of canals that are discharging into nearby villages. To mitigate further damage, the National Irrigation Authority has reportedly been on site to unclog the blocked drainage, according to reports from the Kenya Red Cross. Most affected families have sought refuge with relatives and neighbours. Local authorities and humanitarian partners have identified Thiba Primary School as a safe haven in case the flooding situation deteriorates. Some families might also need transitional shelter support to rebuild their homes after the flood water recedes. Additionally, there is a risk of disease outbreaks due to flooded pit latrines.

In Muranga County, a house was destroyed, and one boy was injured by landslide following heavy rains in Githunguri village of Gitiri sub-location in Kahuro sub-county on 3 April, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society’s assessment report. At least two people including a minor were killed, when they drowned at Kathalaka rock catchment dam in Kyuso ward while another person was swept away by River Eenziu on 8 April in Kitui County. In Turkana County, 1,950 people (390 households) have been displaced including 900 people in Lokichoggio ward, 400 people in Kerio ward and 650 people in Turkana Central. Some 89 livestock were also killed by flood water in early April, according to the Kenya Red Cross.

Preliminary reports indicate that an estimated 100 households in Marsabit County have lost more than 250 livestock to the floods. The heavy rains and floods have also damaged homes, roads, and bridges and disrupted the flow of goods and services, including access to markets and healthcare facilities.

In Nairobi County, at least 11 people were killed, 9,000 (1,800 households) displaced following heavy rains and flooding that submerged homes in the informal settlements of Mukuru kwa Njenga, Mukuru kwa Reuben east in Nairobi City on 25 March, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. About 260 displaced people (52 households) in Kayole were hosted at Kayole-Soweto Social Hall.

The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) on 8 April warned that the Seven Forks Dams are almost spilling over as heavy rainfall over the past few days in Mount Kenya, the Aberdares and Nyambene hills has caused water levels to rise rapidly, therefore, resulting in potential risks to life and property. Communities residing in low lying areas or near water bodies, have been advised to evacuate to higher and safer grounds. The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) also issued an advisory on 8 April warning that heavy rainfall is expected to persist over most parts of the country with isolated storms from 9 to 15 April. Heavy rainfall events are likely to occur in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Southeastern lowlands, the Coast, Northwestern, and North-eastern Kenya with flash floods expected over these areas.