Kenya: Heavy Rains and Flooding Update - Flash Update #2 (19 April 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The devasting toll of the heavy rains and floods continue to rise, with at least 32 deaths, 15 people injured and two missing as of 18 April.

• At least 103,485 people have been affected, including 40,265 people displaced in 21 out of 47 counties in the country.

• Over 960 livestock have been killed, and 24,010 acres of croplands destroyed by floods and heavy rainfall.

• Government-led relief efforts are ongoing across the counties, with support from humanitarian partners. An estimated 20,590 people have been reached with humanitarian assistance.

• Communities living in flood prone areas have been advised to move to higher ground.

• The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that rainfall will persist across various regions in the country with heavy downpours expected.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The number of people impacted by the March-May long rains continue to rise, with an estimated 103,485 people (20, 697 households) affected including 40,265 people (8,053 households) displaced; 32 deaths, and 15 injured across the country as of 18 April, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. The heavy rains causing floods have also resulted in loss of livelihoods, including livestock, cropland, and destruction of small businesses. Damage to schools, water sources, and major roads have also been reported. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration issued an advisory highlighting areas that are likely to experience flooding. These includes in Western Kenya, - along lakes and rivers in Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni -, low lying areas in Narok, Kajiado and Mombasa. Hilly areas traditionally prone to mudslides particularly in Makueni, Nyeri, Muranga and West Pokot Counties are also likely to flood. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, 43 out of 47 counties in the country are expected to receive heavy rainfall, from 16 to 22 April.

In Nairobi County, 31,015 people (6,203 households) in the informal settlements of Kware, Kibra, Viwandani, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kayole, and Mukuru Kwa Reuben were affected by flooding due to poor and blocked drainage systems. Most of those affected have reintegrated within their communities, accommodated by relatives and friends while others are renting out places to stay. On 15 April, Athi River burst its banks and submerged homes in Machakos County, affecting 2,215 people (443 households). In Kajiado County, 1,450 people (290 households) have been affected by the floods including 75 people (15 households) in Ngong and 1,375 (275 households) in Kitengela.

In Kirinyaga County, floods caused by heavy rains affected 375 people (75 households) in Kianjaga village on 15 April, including 300 (60 households) who were displaced and are now camping at Valley Road School. This is in addition to the 7,500 people (1,500 households) that were affected by floods in Mwea West, after Thiba River burst its banks on 6 April. An assessment on the extent of the damage is ongoing which will guide the response. Some 15 people (three households) were displaced in Kiharu sub-location, Muranga County due to a landslide and were advised to move to higher grounds. In Kiambu County, flooding was reported in Juja, Muoko and Ruiru and residents living in waterlogged areas were advised to move to higher grounds as Karimenu dam is at risk of overflowing. In Meru County, 185 people (37 households) were affected, including 15 people (three households) who were displaced. Five people (one household) in Nyeri County, were displaced by mudslide and provided with emergency shelter. At least 2,110 people (422 households) were displaced, and an estimated 600 livestock killed by floods caused by heavy rainfall and riverine flooding in Turkana County, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Western Kenya and Lake Victoria Basin in particular, is experiencing a new phenomenon of riverine flooding because of continued heavy rains in the neighbouring Rift Valley counties of Nandi and Kericho, which on 16 April, significantly affected Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Busia counties. The number of affected people, which was 3, 070 rose to 5,618 within 24 hours of riverine flooding. People moved to the evacuation centres leading to an increase in numbers, that is from 1,924 to 3,275 people. In Kisumu County, 255 people have been displaced and in displacement sites while, in Migori County, 340 people have been displaced with 75 living in displacement sites while 265 people have integrated within communities. In Homa Bay County, at least 4,535 people are living in three active displacement sites while in Busia County, rapid assessments are ongoing to establish the number of households displaced.

In Garissa County, there are five active displacement sites. At least 2,350 people are hosted in two displacement sites while rapid assessments are ongoing to establish those hosted in the remaining three. The number of displaced people is estimated to increase by up to 70,000 people (14,000 households) as heavy rains continue. On 17 April, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration warned that River Tana was likely to burst its banks and cause flooding in Garissa, Tana River and Lamu counties after filling up of the Seven-Forks dams, including Masinga Dam, which is already overflowing. In Tana River County, there are 10 displacement sites from the October-December 2023 El Niño induced floods and the ongoing March-May long rains flooding. The sites are situated in the Tana Delta sub-county.

At least 200 people (40 households in Bori), have been affected by floods, more than 200 houses destroyed, and hundreds of livestock killed in Marsabit County. The villages of Ambalo, Dambala Fachana and Funan Kumbi in Moyale sub-county were affected and isolated by floods. Additionally, Mount Marsabit and its surrounding areas received heavy rainfall amounting to 142.7mm, which led to the destruction of local roads, and rendered them impassable. Meanwhile, the closure of North Horr Road (B75) by Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has resulted in high food prices and has also impeded access to essential services, such as markets and health facilities in the area. At least seven schools and a borehole in Ololunga, which serves an estimated 10,750 people (2,150 households) in Narok County were destroyed by floods, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Separately, in Baringo County, inter-communal conflicts and banditry has displaced around 14,755 people (2,951 households) while 29 people have been injured, since the beginning of the year. Some, 37 learning institutions, (2 secondary schools, 17 primary schools and 18 early childhood development centres (ECDEs), have also been closed. The conflict has disrupted humanitarian access, education, medical services and movement of goods and services, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society.