The government has confirmed that at least 10 people have lost their lives due to recent floods, while over 3,000 households across the country have been affected and displaced.
The devastating floods have hit 20 counties, with Busia and Kisumu among the worst affected areas.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Interior and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, is currently touring the flood-hit regions of Busia and Kisumu to assess the damage, oversee relief efforts, and engage with the displaced families.
He is accompanied by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Kisumu Women’s Representative Ruth Odinga, Muhoroni MP Onyango K’Oyoo, and Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact of these floods on our people. The situation in these regions is dire, and we are committed to providing immediate assistance and long-term solutions,” Dr. Omollo said during his visit to the affected areas.
The recent heavy rainfall over the past week has caused rivers such as Nzoia, Nyando, Yala, Miriu, and Awach to overflow, submerging entire villages and displacing 3,970 households.
Thousands of families are now living in temporary shelters, and the government is working quickly to provide them with food, water, and other necessities.
During his visit to Lunyofu Primary School, which has been converted into a temporary shelter for 500 displaced households, Dr. Omollo emphasized the need for continued support for the affected communities.
“Continued support from all sectors is crucial for these families. We are also focusing on longer-term strategies to prevent further loss of life and property,” Omollo added.
The government has outlined a series of measures to address the flooding crisis, including plans to evacuate communities living in high-risk areas to safer housing.
Additionally, there are plans to redesign the 30-meter riparian corridors along the country’s rivers and other large water bodies to minimize the risk of flooding.
In Kisumu, Dr. Omollo visited the Ogenya displaced persons camp, which is currently hosting 1,973 households.
He praised the collaborative efforts of the multi-agency response team, which includes the State Department for Social Protection, Senior Citizens and Special Programmes, National Government Administration Officers, the National Police Service, the National Disaster Operations Center, and the Kenya Red Cross.
“I am impressed by the efficiency and coordination of our multi-agency teams. Their swift action has greatly improved our ability to respond to the needs of the affected populations,” Omollo stated.
As part of the government’s ongoing disaster response efforts, PS Omollo warned that vehicles would be prohibited from using roads and bridges deemed unsafe due to the floods.
“Safety is our top priority, and we urge the public to avoid using these roads until they are declared safe for travel,” he added.
The government has committed to taking swift action to assist flood victims and prevent future disasters through a comprehensive flood management strategy.
The immediate focus remains on providing relief and ensuring the safety of the affected communities.
