Seventy lives have been lost in Kenya due to widespread flooding, compelling tens of thousands to flee their homes, as President William Ruto declared a state of emergency on Saturday.
This calamity, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, is affecting Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, countries recently emerging from a severe drought.
Ruto announced an imminent emergency cabinet meeting on Monday to devise strategies for managing the crisis.
Addressing the nation from State House, he revealed the grim toll: “Unfortunately we have lost 70 people across Kenya because of these rains and about 36,160 households have been displaced so far.”
Expressing concern, Ruto emphasized, “Kenya is already soaked,” highlighting forecasts from the Meteorological Department predicting more rain, intensifying the flood risk. He stressed the need for readiness in the face of the impending emergency.
The impact on infrastructure has been severe, especially in northern Kenya, where numerous roads have been washed away, stranding essential supplies like food, medicine, and fuel-carrying trucks.
To assist stranded communities, the Kenya Defence Force has been mobilized for airlifting supplies.
Ruto faced criticism last month for downplaying the situation, claiming the country would not experience El Nino rains, only heavy rainfall that “would not be destructive
