Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya has so far lost 179 people due to the ongoing floods across the country, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has said.
Mwaura said the floods have claimed 10 people in the past 24 hours raising the death toll to 179.
Among dead are 164 adults and 15 children.
Mwaura said another 125 Kenyans have been injured and are receiving treatment in health facilities across the country.
“The government conveys its sincere condolences to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and wishes a quick recovery to the injured.”
Mwaura said 20 more people have been reported missing raising the number to 90.
The government spokesman said the ongoing flooding has led to the displacement of an additional 1,127 households raising the number of displaced households to 31,341.
Cumulatively, he said floods have displaced 195,011 people.
Mwaura said the government has set up displacement camps to provide alternative accommodation to the displaced.
He said Relief Operations Centre have been set up at the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB).
Senior government officials are leading government response efforts in counties, he confirmed.
Mwaura said the government has stepped up response efforts with the Kenya Defence Forces already helping in recovery and evacuation exercises.
“Distribution of food and non-food items continues across the country with a relief operation planned for the next two months,” Mwaura said.
He said on Tuesday, the government distributed relief items including rice, beans, fortified foods, blankets, kitchen sets, jikos, solar lamps and sanitary pads to Athi River, Githurai, Garissa, Magarini, Malindi, Rabai and Mathioya subcounties.
He said the government has completed mapping out all fragile ecosystems around the country for early evacuation advisories.
By the end of Wednesday, he said Kenyans residing within the risky areas are required to relocate within 48 hours.
The risky areas are near dams and other water reservoirs in public or private land, areas prone to mudslides and landslides and riparian lands across the country.
The government called on Kenyans to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines and observe flood alerts.
“All Kenyans are requested to cooperate fully with emergency responders and local authorities during evacuations or rescue operations, especially in areas mapped out as high-risk areas.”
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