Destruction due to floods in villages in the Rift Valley near Mai Mahiu
Victims are increasing floods and inundations in Kenya. After the tragedy of Mai Mahiu, north of Nairobi where the flooding of a river has killed 71 people so far, the number of deaths due to bad weather has risen to 166 since the start of the seasonal rains. This was reported by the government, as reported by the Citizen TV broadcaster. President William Ruto has called a special cabinet meeting for this morning “to discuss the additional measures that the government will take to ensure that citizens, victims of climate change and affected from landslides and floods, are assisted,” a spokesperson said. While still digging in the mud of the village north of Nairobi, the National Weather Service predicts that the rains in Kenya could continue throughout the month of May.
At least 46 people had died by Monday morning in a flood and the wave of mud caused by the flooding of a river in the city of Mai Mahiu, in central Kenya. Survivors described the fury of water pouring over homes, cars and train carriages. “When I opened the door the water overwhelmed me and reached the kitchen. My husband, with a quick intervention, rushed me out of the house. My daughter who was in the next room was thrown out of the house by the force of the water current,” Anne Gachie told Reuters. In Mai Mahiu 53 people are missing, while the Red Cross has so far registered 76 missing throughout the country. The UN Secretary General reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the Government of Kenya: “Since the end of last year – declared Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson – heavy rains have had an impact on the lives of 600 thousand people in Kenya”. So far, humanitarian agencies he added, they have brought aid to around 25 thousand people who are in emergency, but much still needs to be done.
