Flash Floods Kill Fourteen People In Northern Kenya

Flash floods have killed at least fourteen people since heavy rains occasioned by the El Nino phenomenon wreaked havoc in parts of Northern Kenya.

Preliminary reports indicate that most of the victims drowned during heavy downpours that pounded the region over the past four days, bringing the number of fatalities to 14 .

Northern Kenya Regional Commissioner John Otieno said that Mandera is the most affected, with seven fatalities as a result of people drowning.

Otieno said that five people have died in Wajir and two in Garissa due to drowning.

“All the victims met their death through drowning. I want to caution members of the public to avoid wading through flooded roads and flashfloods,” he said.

Further, Otieno has called upon motorists plying Garissa – Modogashe, Garissa – Dadaab, Wajir – Elwak roads to be extra careful or avoid them altogether because sections have been swept off.

He noted that over 30,000 people in the region have been displaced, but the figure could increase as torrential rains persist.

He said the victims require urgent relief supplies that include food and non-food items, but because most of their areas cannot be accessed by road, the government is working with other partners to airlift the same.

Additionally, he highlighted Elwak in Mandera South and Buna in Wajir North as some of the towns that have been submerged.

“I am in touch with the national disaster committee to ensure we coordinate the airlifting of relief supplies to these towns and other areas that cannot be accessed,” he said.

“The government together with development partners, are taking measures to ensure that we can save lives. We continue to appeal to all the partners to team up with the government to support the flood victims as the number continues to rise,” he said.

He disclosed that to Kenya Red Cross has started delivering non-food items to those who are in the internally displaced camps.