By Peter Ochieng
The heavy rainfall being witnessed in various parts of the country continues to cause havoc, as families get displaced due to flooding.
In Homabay county, 540 families have been left homeless in Karachuonyo, after four villages were submerged on Tuesday night.
The four villages include Kobala, with residents having to move to higher grounds.
“People do not have a place to call home, we are talking high rates of hippos scavenging for pastures and a threat to security,” said Willis Omulo, Kobala resident.
Kobala Assistant Chief George Oburu advised residents to move to higher grounds.
“540 households affected, floods will increase in the coming days, they should move to higher ground even in churches, neighbouring schools,” he stated.
Residents in Mwea, Kirinyaga county and Masinga, Machakos county have also been affected.
Rice farmers in Mwea have been the hard hit, with the expected bumber harvest going to waste.
The Kenya Red Cross Society estimates that 980 households have been affected by floods in at least 10 counties, over the past 24 hours.
They include Nyeri, Tana River, Homa Bay, Machakos and Narok. 11 deaths have been reported, 55 people rescued and 3 people injured across the country, due to the floods.
“In the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall has affected approx 980 households in Nyeri, Tana River, Homa Bay, Machakos, and Narok, with 40 business premises submerged in Narok South and 50 acres of farmland damaged in Katangini, Matungulu Subcounty, Machakos. Additionally, at least 10 roads were cut off in Elgeiyo Marakwet, Garissa, Tana River, Wajir, Nyeri, Isiolo and Migori counties.”
Kenya Red Cross says it is actively monitoring the situation, having already pre-positioned emergency supplies, along with conducting risk communication in high-risk areas.