Kenya’s death toll following weeks of continuous rain and subsequent floods has nearly doubled.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Raymond Omollo reported that at least 120 people had died, with roughly 90,000 households evacuated and forced to seek safety in 120 improvised camps.
The country’s constant rain and flash floods are being blamed on the El Nino weather phenomena, which is exacerbating the issues faced by an area already suffering from severe drought.
According to Kenya’s meteorological predicting office, the severe rains are expected to last until January 2024.
Kenyan President William Ruto has given financial assistance to the devastated communities, recognizing the significant damage on people, infrastructure, and property.
According to a statement issued by Ruto’s office, the terrible repercussions of El Nino-induced precipitation include illness outbreaks and lengthy power disruptions across Kenya and the rest of East Africa.
Thousands of homes have been washed away or isolated, and big sections of farmland have been submerged, according to aid agencies on the ground. Tens of thousands of livestock have died as a result of the floods. Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties in eastern Kenya are particularly hard hit.
Omollo advised care, pointing up that important dams are being closely monitored, with the Kiambere Hydroelectric Power Station in Tana River dangerously close to overflowing. He urged residents to relocate to higher elevation while the government works to increase electricity generation to alleviate the problem.
Meanwhile, neighboring Somalia and Ethiopia are dealing with flash floods caused by El Nino’s excessive rainfall.
According to Kenya’s authorities, 96 people have died and 700,000 have been displaced in Somalia.
Climate change and extreme weather events caused by global warming continue to endanger the Horn of Africa.
In an address to the European Parliament ahead of the United Nations’ COP28 climate summit in Dubai, Ruto underscored Africa’s position at the vanguard of environmental vulnerability, urging global attention and action.