Death toll from Kenya floods climbs to 210 amid ongoing heavy rainfall

The death toll from the ongoing heavy rains in Kenya has climbed to 210, with authorities reporting dozens of people still missing amid the devastating floods and landslides.

According to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the relentless rains since March 2024, have affected over 196,000 people, leaving many homeless and causing extensive damage to infrastructure across the nation.

In Nairobi, a cumulative total of 125 individuals have been injured, while 90 remain unaccounted for. Around 33,100 households have been displaced, impacting approximately 165,500 individuals, and nearly 2,000 schools have suffered infrastructure damage.

Rescue efforts continue, with authorities retrieving 16 bodies on Thursday alone. The meteorological department has issued warnings of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in over 33 counties, including Nairobi, from Friday to Sunday.

Additionally, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, forming over the South Indian Ocean, is anticipated to bring strong winds, large ocean waves, and heavy rainfall, particularly affecting the coastal region starting Sunday.

In response, mandatory evacuations along rivers in Nairobi County are underway, with the government providing logistical support, temporary shelter, and essential supplies to affected individuals.

The Kenya Red Cross Society reports landslides and mudslides in central Kenya, impacting families, including young children. Rescue operations have been underway, including the recent rescue of 90 tourists stranded in the Maasai Mara National Reserve due to river overflow.

To accommodate those displaced, 115 camps have been set up across 19 counties, hosting over 27,000 individuals. However, the flooding compounds the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, following the El Nino floods in late 2023, which claimed at least 178 lives, injured 242, and displaced thousands.