Over 90 Killed, 21 Others Missing As Rains Continue To Wreak Havoc

NAIROBI Kenya April 28 -Over 90 people have been killed by floods in various parts of the country while 21 others have been reported missing, according to the Kenyan authorities.
The National Police Service (NPS) on Sunday April 28 also revealed that at least 29 others have been injured in the floods that has so far affected a total of 185,297 people and displaced 28,484 households.
Authorities have warned of more deaths and destruction of property following the heavy rains being experienced in the country.
Nairobi region is leading in the reported deaths (33), displaced households (20,568) and affected persons (147,031).
According to the report, Rift Valley is the second most affected with 21 deaths reported followed by Eastern (15), Nyanza (6), Western (6), Central (4), North Eastern (3), and Coast (2).
Though the Coast region is not seriously affected, it is the second most affected in terms of total number of people affected by the rains.
A total of 14,044 people have so far been affected in the region followed by Western (9,325), Central (5,779), North Eastern (4,752), Eastern (3,372), Nyanza (994), and Rift Valley (nil).
On Saturday April 27 alone, at least 11 fresh bodies were recovered from various spots following the heavy rains, especially in Nairobi, that day and there are fears that the numbers could be more.
The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has said they have dispatched more personnel to various roads to help in directing motorists and other users.
“The ongoing heavy rains and floods experienced in the country have not only claimed lives, but also rendered some roads and rivers impassable. Similarly, it is expected that road traffic, both human and vehicular will be very heavy,” Koome said.
He also urged motorists and other road users to be cautious ahead of the reopening of the schools this week.
“In the best interest of the children that will be travelling back to school, and for the safety of the general public, the National Police Service would like to caution all motorists and boda boda riders to be extra vigilant on the roads, and strictly comply with traffic rules and regulations,” the police boss said.
The government has also scaled up measures to mitigate disaster caused by the ongoing enhanced rains and floods, even as the meteorological department warned that heavy rainfall will continue.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday said the government has made several interventions such as financial allocation of Sh4 billion for immediate response to the rain’s havoc.
He added that contingency plans have been developed to enhance the coordination of the emergency response.