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Floods Kill 13 in Nairobi
Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, Wednesday issued a stark warning, stating that flooding in the Kenyan capital had “escalated to extreme levels” and local authorities are “clearly overwhelmed.”
Sifuna took to social media platform X, posting a harrowing video showcasing an entire neighborhood submerged in muddy floodwater. Trapped residents can be seen clinging to the rooftops of their homes.
This scene is far from isolated. Hundreds across Nairobi and surrounding areas found themselves marooned after heavy rains lashed the region overnight.
“We need all national emergency services mobilized to save lives,” stated Sifuna.
These relentless downpours, which have plagued the East African nation for weeks, have caused widespread devastation. Kenya Railways announced on Wednesday morning that floodwaters had compromised rail lines, forcing them to suspend services due to safety concerns.
Commuters faced a nightmarish traffic situation during peak hours as major highways, including Mombasa Road and Thika Road, were rendered impassable by floodwaters. The situation grew even more critical along the busy Namanga Road, a crucial artery leading to the Tanzanian border. The nearby Athi River, overwhelmed by the relentless rains, burst its banks on Wednesday morning, submerging the road entirely.
Red Cross Kenya deployed response teams across the flooded areas, desperately working to evacuate families to safety and provide essential life-saving interventions. Homes in several Nairobi estates have been completely submerged, leaving residents displaced and facing an uncertain future.
By Thursday evening, 13 bodies believed to be flood victims had been retrieved from the Mathare River, following heavy rains that lashed.
Starehe Sub-county Police Commander Fred Abuga confirmed the deaths, stating that the retrieved bodies include men, women and women. Search operations were still ongoing in Mathare for six other people who remain unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, a Kenya Red Cross Action Team successfully rescued 18 people, including 11 adults and 7 children, who were stranded by floodwaters in Mradi, Mathare 4A.
To mitigate the already out of hand situation, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has announced the government’s escalated efforts to provide assistance to those impacted by the severe flooding caused by the ongoing heavy rains nationwide.
In a statement released on Thursday, Kindiki conveyed that, in accordance with President William Ruto’s directive, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) at the Interior Ministry is intensifying the coordination of response efforts across various government ministries, state agencies, and humanitarian organizations to aid affected individuals.
“The National Police Service (NPS) is leading search and rescue operations both on land and by air, with the Kenya Red Cross reinforcing these efforts. Additionally, the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has been instructed to enhance its response efforts,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Interior CS said that County Security Teams nationwide have been instructed to collaborate with County Government officials to ensure the mandatory evacuation of those in vulnerable areas.
Moreover, he pointed to ongoing government mobilization to provide food and essential supplies to support displaced individuals.
“We are deploying all available financial, human, and public resources to alleviate the impact of the flooding on lives, livestock, crops, and property,” Kindiki said.
El Niño Kills 155 in Tanzania
At least 155 people have perished in Tanzania after torrential downpours and subsequent landslides wreaked havoc across the nation. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa attributed the heavy rains to the El Niño weather phenomenon and warned that the deluge could persist into May. He urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate for their safety.
The disaster has caused widespread devastation, impacting an estimated 200,000 people and displacing over 51,000 households. Delivering a report to the Tanzanian parliament, Prime Minister Majaliwa revealed that 236 individuals had also sustained injuries.
“The relentless El Niño rains have unleashed a torrent of destruction across the country,” said Majaliwa. “Strong winds, floods, and landslides have inflicted immense damage, leading to loss of life, ruined crops, destroyed homes and property, and severe infrastructural setbacks, including roads, bridges, and railways.”
Tanzania is not alone in suffering the consequences of El Niño’s wrath. In Kenya, the Red Cross reported over 10 fatalities this week, raising the total death toll to at least 45 since March. Neighboring Burundi has also been severely impacted, with heavy rains displacing close to 100,000 people.
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