Kenya floods leave 38 dead, 110,000 displaced; emergency declared

The death toll from devastating floods in Kenya has climbed to 38, with more than 110,000 people forced from their homes as of April 24, 2024, according to officials from the government and the Kenya Red Cross. The floods, triggered by heavy rains, have wreaked havoc on property, including farmlands and road networks, causing destruction worth millions of shillings.

Kenya floods leave 38 dead

"The floods have taken a heavy toll on our communities, resulting in tragic loss of lives and extensive displacement," said Venant Ndighila, head of disaster operations at the Kenya Red Cross.

The onset of the long rainy season, spanning from March to May, marked the beginning of the crisis, characterized by deadly flash floods in April. The overflowing rivers and damaged infrastructure, such as hospitals, have led to loss of life, livestock, and restricted access to major highways across the country.

"We, for instance, issued over 19 million text messages to likely victims in flood-prone regions since February but we continue to see people wade through floodwaters, attempt to cross swollen rivers, drive through flood waters as they expose themselves to danger," added Ndighila.

Floods devastate rice and maize

The floods have caused extensive damage to agricultural areas, with rice fields submerged in water and maize crops swept away by the raging floods, particularly affecting regions like central and western Kenya and the Rift Valley.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the destruction of our crops and livelihoods. We have lost everything, including the little food we had in stores. Everything has been swept away. Houses are uninhabitable," said Annette Akinyi, a rice farmer in Ahero Plains.

The situation has prompted the Kenya Red Cross to escalate the crisis from an emergency to a disaster, citing potential health and nutrition consequences.

"We are deeply concerned about the escalating situation, which is rapidly degenerating into a disaster with far-reaching health and nutrition implications," warned a spokesperson for the Kenya Red Cross.

David Gikungu, director of meteorological services, cautioned that the rains are expected to intensify throughout April and early May, attributing the heightened rainfall to climate change.

The Kenya Red Cross and authorities continue to urge vulnerable communities to evacuate to safer areas as the country braces for further flooding in the coming days.

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