By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The government has released the latest data on the number of people who have so far been affected by floods.
In a statement issued by the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, at least 306,522 keyans are still affected by the floods. This is despite the situation subsiding.
According to Mwaura, those affected are from 61,304 households.
A further 58,641 households comprising about 293,205 people are also still displaced.
“38 people are reported missing while 188 people are injured and receiving treatment in various health facilities,” noted the government spokesperson.
Regrettably, 315 Kenyans lost their lives to the floods 242 of which were adults as well as 73 children.
The floods situation was caused by the March-April long rains.
Aside from loss of lives and displacement of people, the floods also resulted in huge financial losses and damage to infrastructure.
Over 183,521 farmlands have so far been affected by the floods across 26 counties, resulting in losses to the government approximately to be over Ksh3.7 billion.
Garissa and Kisumu recorded the highest losses.
“The government will support post-flood recovery through distribution of seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and rehabilitation of farm infrastructure,” Dr Mwaura said.
Meanwhile, the government noted that most parts of the country are expected to remain generally dry.
However, rainfall is expected to continue over a few areas in the highlands East and West of Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and Rift Valley.
“Additionally, strong southerly and south-easterly winds with speeds exceeding 25 knots are expected over some parts of the Coast and North Eastern,” the government spokesperson said.
He also urged Kenyans to take caution and adhere to weather and flood alerts.
“Despite the challenge posed by recent flooding, the government prompt response and recovery efforts demonstrate our resilience and dedication to safeguarding the walefare of all Kenyans,” Mwuara said.