By Peter Ochieng
At least 188 Kenyans have died as a result of a wave of floods occassioned by the ongoing heavy rains in most parts of the country.
The ministry of interior and national administration headed by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki indicates that additional 90 individuals are reported missing, while 125 have been reported injured.
An estimated 196,296 people have been impacted by the relentless rains across the country.
Kindiki said in the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been experienced in over 28 counties.
The counties are categorised as follows: Western region (Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia); Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay); Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Narok); Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Laikipia); Upper Eastern (Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru) and Nairobi.
Furthermore, flash floods have disrupted the education sector, with 1,967 schools affected by flooding, throwing the possibility of reopening of schools for the second term on Monday next week into jeopardy.
CS Kithure Kindiki notes that emergency response teams in Narok County alongside the county security team and the Kenya Red Cross successfully evacuated 90 individuals, in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek broke its banks.
“No fatalities reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate,” he added.
In Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, the CS said 151 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers are actively engaged, where 52 bodies of deceased persons have been retrieved, following the Monday morning mudslide tragedy. 51 people are still missing.
He said that at least 400 National Youth Service (NYS) members have been deployed to reinforce the ongoing search and rescue operations in Mai Mahiu and Talek Area, Narok County.
In addition, a nationwide assessment of all dams has been conducted and 192 dams were identified to be high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).
Kindiki indicated that inspection teams have been dispatched to ascertain the dams’ integrity.