Kenya Reels From Devastating El Niño-Driven Floods As Death Toll Climbs To 165

Kenya’s El Niño-driven floods continue to wreak havoc, with the death toll now reaching 165. Taita Taveta, Migori, and Meru remain the hardest-hit regions, with Lamu and Tana River expected to join the list due to rising water levels.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed five new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 165. The floods have displaced a staggering 107,843 households, impacting approximately 539,215 individuals.

To alleviate the suffering, the government has established 11 additional displacement camps: five in Tana River, four in Kilifi, and two in Lamu. These camps provide temporary shelter and essential supplies to displaced families.

Infrastructure damage remains significant, with four roads, 832 acres of farms, 23 homesteads, three bridges, three schools, and a chief’s office destroyed in Lamu County alone. Ongoing rescue operations have saved lives, including the recent rescue of five police officers and the relocation of 80 individuals from affected villages.

Mwaura noted the extensive destruction to farmlands, with estimates exceeding 26,731 acres across various Lamu County wards. The government is utilizing these data to plan for long-term rehabilitation and support for affected communities.

In response to the humanitarian crisis, the government has collaborated with humanitarian organizations to provide immediate relief. Food deliveries, relocation efforts, distribution of essential supplies, medical support, and veterinary services are some of the crucial interventions underway. Additionally, cholera kits have been delivered to Lamu, Kilifi, and Mombasa Counties to mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks.

As the crisis unfolds, the government’s primary focus remains on providing immediate relief and long-term support to affected communities. Citizens are encouraged to extend their solidarity and support to fellow Kenyans during this challenging period.

For further assistance or emergency incidents, contact information is available through official channels

Government Explains Why El Nino Has Not Been Declared A National Disaster

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has provided an explanation for the government’s decision not to declare the El Nino phenomenon as a national disaster.

Addressing the media following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto, Mohamed stated that the current situation does not meet the criteria for a national disaster declaration.

“The matter was discussed during the meeting, but the Cabinet concluded that the situation is being managed effectively,” Mohamed explained.

He emphasized that the decision to declare a national disaster is based on data gathered from the ground, and the current assessment indicates that the situation is alarming but not yet at the level of a national disaster.

Mohamed announced the establishment of a national disaster operations center at Nyayo House under the Ministry of Interior to continuously monitor the situation and assess whether a national disaster declaration is warranted.

He acknowledged the impact of El Nino, noting that it has caused the loss of 75 lives and the displacement of 35,000 households. To address these challenges, the government has disbursed Sh10 billion in shareable revenue to counties for relief efforts and plans to allocate an additional Sh10 billion.

Mohamed also highlighted the positive effects of the heavy rains, particularly in Kenya’s food basket regions. To support farmers, the government has allocated Sh500 million to New KCC for milk offtake, and the increased hydroelectricity generation is expected to reduce power tariffs.

Regarding the miscommunication between the president and the Kenya Meteorological Department concerning the possibility of El Nino, Mohamed defended the government’s actions, emphasizing that weather forecasting is not an exact science. However, the government took preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with El Nino.

Drowned KRA employees’ bodies recovered

The bodies of two Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials have been recovered after their vehicle was swept away by raging floods at Ramisi Bridge in Kwale.

The two officers, Joram Maina, the Lungalunga Border Management Committee Chairperson, and David Ng’ang’a, were traveling to Mombasa from Lunga Lunga on November 17 when the tragedy struck.

A multi-agency search and rescue operation was immediately launched to locate the missing officers. After days of intense efforts, their bodies were finally recovered.

The tragic incident highlights the dangers posed by heavy rains and floods, particularly in areas with inadequate infrastructure. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking precautionary measures during such weather conditions.

The loss of these two dedicated public servants is deeply felt by their colleagues, loved ones, and the wider Kenyan community. Their memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and worked with them.

Quick explanation why Mombasa hard hit by flooding

Mombasa County in Kenya has been grappling with the devastating effects of floods triggered by persistent heavy rainfall over the past three days. Submerged homes, displaced residents, and impassable roads are just a few of the disruptions caused by the relentless downpour.

In a recent statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki revealed that the nationwide death toll from flood-related incidents has reached 60, with 10 of these fatalities occurring since Friday in Mombasa, Tana River, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.

While addressing the media in the aftermath of the flooding, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir dismissed claims attributing the disaster to an inadequate drainage system. He asserted that the flooding resulted from the construction of entire villages on waterways, leaving no room for water to escape during heavy rainfall.

Despite the governor’s explanation, it is crucial to acknowledge that flood levels are gradually subsiding.

The question remains, why is Mombasa experiencing such severe flooding?

Coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to flooding due to several factors. One prominent factor is the rising sea level, a direct consequence of climate change.

A publication by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, titled “Sea-Level Rise and Global Climate Change,” explains that melting ice caps and glaciers add water to the oceans, leading to an increase in sea levels.

This phenomenon makes coastal areas more susceptible to flooding during high tides or storm events.

The report further highlights that the vulnerability of coastal areas to sea-level rise varies depending on the physical characteristics of the coastline, the population size and level of development, and the effectiveness of land-use and infrastructure planning at the local level.

As Governor Nassir alluded to, urban development planning also plays a significant role in the occurrence of floods.

Buildings erected along the ocean’s outlets obstruct its natural flow, leading to an insufficient drainage system and impermeable surfaces like pavement.

Furthermore, some coastal areas have experienced subsidence, the gradual sinking of land due to human activities such as poor disposal of minerals. This process blocks water paths, making the areas more prone to flooding.

Environmentalist Ronald Bulimu emphasizes that addressing the challenges faced by coastal regions will require a combination of sustainable urban planning involving all stakeholders and well-maintained infrastructure.

He attributes the issues in Mombasa to poor urban planning and the lack of renovation of the drainage system, which was originally constructed by the Arabs. He urges government officials to prioritize these factors.

While natural causes like climate change cannot be entirely avoided, the consequences of human actions can be mitigated through proactive measures. Coastal regions must prioritize sustainable urban planning and infrastructure maintenance to protect their communities from the devastating effects of floods.

El Niño Conditions Declared, Kenya Braces for Heavy Rains

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared the onset of El Niño conditions, a climate pattern that brings warmer water to the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This is the first time El Niño conditions have been declared in seven years.

El Niño is typically associated with increased rainfall in Kenya, and the WMO is warning that the country could see heavy rains beginning in September or October. The rains could cause flooding and landslides, and could also lead to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

The WMO is urging Kenya to take steps to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño. These steps include:

  • Monitoring water levels and weather conditions
  • Preparing evacuation plans for areas that are at risk of flooding
  • Distributing mosquito nets and other supplies to prevent the spread of disease

The WMO is also calling on other countries to be prepared for the potential impacts of El Niño. These impacts could include:

  • Increased risk of drought and wildfires
  • More extreme weather events, such as heat waves and tropical cyclones
  • Food shortages and price increases

The WMO is urging countries to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of El Niño. These steps include:

  • Investing in early warning systems
  • Adapting infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events
  • Increasing disaster preparedness and response capabilities

El Niño is a natural climate pattern, but it is being made more extreme by climate change. This means that the impacts of El Niño are likely to be more severe in the future. Countries need to take steps to prepare for these impacts now.