Author: Agencies

115 camps have been set up across 19 counties hosting a total of 27,586 people following heavy rains that continue to pour across many parts of the country.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, the government has made specific interventions to meet their essential food supplies of rice and beans totaling 336,000 Kg that have been distributed to support affected communities in Busia, Homabay, Kisumu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Muranga Counties.

“There is a need for more food, medical kits, and non-food items in affected Counties and where search and rescue operations are still ongoing including, Garissa, Kiambu, Migori, Narok, Kajiado, West Pokot, Nyeri, Siaya, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Tana River Counties.” Read the statement.

According to the government, a favorable weather forecast in the North Eastern (Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa) and South Eastern (Taita Taveta, Kitui, Tana River) regions sets the stage for post-flood recovery initiatives in public works, the reconstruction of schools, repairs to water treatment systems, road repairs and improvements to the accessibility of social and economic facilities over the weekend.

However, the State says the continuous heavy rains in the Central region and the overflow of the Seven Forks Dams is posing potential flooding in the Tana Delta impacting Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu Counties.

In a statement Thursday evening, all persons residing within the 30-meter riparian corridor of rivers and other water courses across the country have been ordered to vacate immediately for their safety.

Mandatory evacuation along rivers in Nairobi County (Mathare, Ngong, and Nairobi Rivers) is ongoing with the Government facilitating logistical support, temporary shelter and essential supplies to those affected.

A 24-hour evacuation notice effective May 2, 2024, was also issued to settlements in 33 Counties that are within 178 high-risk dams and water reservoirs. This follows a nationwide assessment of all dams in the country that identified 192 dams as high risk in Central (60), Eastern (39), Rift Valley (29), Coast (22), Western (21), Nairobi (12), North Eastern (5), and Nyanza (4).

At the same time, despite sunny intervals in the Coast region, government notes that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is forecasted to bring strong winds and large ocean waves, with heavy rainfall starting Sunday, May 5th.

Additionally, over 33 counties in Central (Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyandarua); Eastern (Machakos, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit); Rift Valley (Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Narok); Western (Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia); Lake Victoria Basin (Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homabay); and Nairobi are forecasted to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Flooding is also expected in low-lying areas, riparian areas, and urban areas while landslides/mudslides may occur in areas with steep slopes, escarpments, and ravines.

In the last 24 hours; Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Narok, Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri, Nakuru, Laikipia, Mandera, and Homabay Counties have suffered from flooding as Muranga, Nyeri and Nakuru Counties recorded landslidesand mudslides.

Consequently, approximately 196,296 people have been impacted by the heavy rains that have regrettably claimed 210 lives due to severe weather conditions including an additional 22 fatalities since the last update.

A cumulative 125 people have been reported injured while 90 people are currently missing.

A total of 33,100 households have been displaced affecting approximately 165,500 people and a sum of 1,967 schools have had their infrastructure destroyed by the floods.

All citizens and non-citizens, have also been advised to adhere to guidance and evacuation orders provided by authorities, limit travel to essential trips only and stay vigilant over the weekend.

In the event of a flood emergency, members of the public can contact the National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC) immediately via the toll-free number: 0800721571.

The Commission on Administrative Justice, more commonly known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has recommended that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Public Service Commission investigate some individuals for possible misconduct in the country’s public office.

The Ombudsman, in a letter to the three state agencies, wants Francis Asiago Marita, a former employee of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology prosecuted for questionable enrolment as a civil servant. The Commission described circumstances under which Marita was employed as unscrupulous.

“Investigations established that Mr. Marita’s engagement with the Ministry of ICT from June 2014 to July 2015 was irregular as he had by then been expunged from the Public Service payroll and his employment file was never forwarded to the Ministry,” the Ombudsman said

“The manner in which Mr. Marita was appointed to the Ministry of Water, introduced into the payroll, transferred from the Ministry, deleted from the payroll, and disappearance of his file, all point to the possible commission of a fraud,” the commission added

He is wanted alongside Tom Emonde, a former Principal Human Resource Officer at the Ministry of Water, and other public officials namely; Cleophas Khaseya, Davis Kariuki, Rosemary Kariuki, and C.A Otunga, who worked for the Ministries of Water and ICT, who are accused of aiding his fraudulent recruitment. CAJ wants them charged for possible neglect of official duty contrary to section 128 of the penal code.

“His appointment was irregular as he did not undergo a competitive recruitment process. Further, the authenticity of his letter of offer and letter of appointment signed by one Tom Emonde are both in question,” noted the Commission in a statement Thursday

The above government officials, suspected to have facilitated or abetted the commission of fraud leading to the irregular employment of Marita, have since retired from Public Service and their whereabouts are unknown.

The issue of Marita came to the fore after he launched a complaint to the Ombudsman protesting being expunged from the government payroll without notice. He told the commission that he had worked at the Ministry of ICT for about a year without receiving a salary after which he left to seek medical treatment for a medical condition that he was suffering from. Despite numerous attempts, Marita told the commission that his efforts to have him reinstated and salary paid did not bear fruit.

The commission says it took up the matter and instituted a probe. In an unexpected turn of events, the Ombudsman says investigations proved Marita had no right demanding reinstatement and pay given he had secured employment in government through dubious means, and now wants him and others in the case prosecuted.

The Kenya Meteorological Department is warning that heavy rainfall currently pounding several parts of the country will continue until Saturday.

In an advisory, the Weatherman says heavy downpour above 40mm in 24 hours is predicted to spread to northern parts of the country from Thursday to the weekend.

Among the areas expected to receive heavy rainfall include the counties of; Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, TransNzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot, Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Isiolo Counties.

The warning sent by the Director of Meteorological Services Dr. David Gikungu further indicates that strong southerly winds of more than 30 knots are predicted over the coastal region and parts of Northeastern Kenya.

The strong winds are projected to exceed 40 knots. “Large Ocean Waves more than 2 meters are predicted in the Indian Ocean from Thursday to Sunday.”

Among the areas expected to experience strong winds include the counties of; Mombasa, Tana-River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Taita-Taveta and Garissa counties.

Dr. Gikungu in the statement is urging the public in all the areas mentioned to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility. “The water levels in rivers, lakes and dams are expected to remain high,” says Dr. Gikungu and adds, “People are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water.”

He is further warning the public from walking in open fields, “and not to shelter under trees and near metal grilled windows in order to minimize exposure to lightning strikes.”

The weatherman is urging the public in areas prone to landslides and mudslides to remain vigilant “Strong winds may blow off roofs, uproot trees and cause structural damages,” adds Dr. Gikungu in the statement.

Additionally, he is cautioning those involved in marine activities along the coastal strip to be vigilant as the strong southerly winds may result in large waves that could pose a danger.

Pope Francis has expressed sympathy for Kenyans affected by devastating floods that so far have claimed the lives of over 170 people.

The Pope in a post on X said he was aware of the devastation caused by the severe floods assuring he was spiritually close to the people of Kenya.

He further called for prayers for all those affected.

“I am spiritually close to the people of #Kenya at this time when a severe flood has claimed many lives and destroyed vast areas. Let us pray together for all those who suffer the effects of this natural disaster”.

His message comes in the wake of intensified search and rescue operations by multi-agency teams including the military across the country.

The death toll from the Mai Mahiu tragedy stands at 46 with 75 reported missing. Hopes of finding survivors are dimming as heavy rains continue.

The incident happened Monday morning in Old Kijabe town when the walls of an old railway tunnel filled up with water broke, sweeping homes downstream.

The weather forecast from April 30 to May 6 indicates that heavy rainfall will continue over several parts of the country.

Close to 200,000 individuals have been affected in 36 counties. Nairobi, Tana River, West Pokot, and Homa Bay counties are the worst hit. Additionally, landslides and mudslides have impacted residents of Muranga and Nakuru Counties.

Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation is underway for tourists trapped by floodwaters in over 14 tourist camps in Talek, Narok, after the Talek River broke its banks.

The Kenya Red Cross has managed to rescue 36 people by air and another 25 through an aqua rescue team.

“In some camps, tents have been swept away, and the Mara Bridge, linking the Mara Triangle and the Greater Mara, has been washed away,” the humanitarian organization said.

Nearly 100 tourists were among people marooned after a river overflowed in Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara wildlife reserve following a heavy downpour, a local administrator said Wednesday, as the death toll from flood-related disasters neared 180.

Torrential rains, amplified by the El Niño weather pattern, have lashed much of the East African country and destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

“Approximately 100 or more tourists” were stranded in more than a dozen lodges, hotels and camps, Narok West sub-county administrator Stephen Nakola told AFP.

“That is the preliminary number as of now because some of the camps are unaccessible,” he said.

The world-famous Maasai Mara, in southwestern Kenya, is a tourist magnet and home to native wildlifeincluding the so-called Big Five—lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo—as well as giraffes, hippos and cheetahs.

The Kenya Red Cross said it had rescued more than 90 people from the camps, some of them by air.

“In some camps, tents have been swept away and the Mara bridge, linking the Mara Triangle and the Greater Mara, has been washed away,” it said on X, adding later that the floodwaters had “subsided”.

Tourism alongside agriculture and diaspora remittances are Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners.

Revenue from tourism jumped nearly a third in 2023 over the previous year beating the pre-pandemic numbers, the government said in March.

Tourism minister Alfred Mutua had earlier on Wednesday said “several camps have been impacted” by the downpour and warned all hotels and camps near rivers within Kenyan parks and reserves to prepare “for potential evacuations.”

“Develop clear evacuation, transportation, and hospitality protocols,” Mutua said.

The directive came hours after President William Ruto deployed the military to evacuate everyone living in flood-prone areas.

People living in the affected areas will have 48 hours to move after those who remain “will be relocated forcibly in the interest of their safety,” the cabinet said.

‘Early warning systems’

So far, 179 people including 15 children have died in flood-related disasters across Kenya since March, according to government data.

Some 90 people have been reported missing, raising fears that the toll could go higher, and more than 195,000 others displaced.

In the worst single incident that killed nearly 50 villagers, a makeshift dam burst in the Rift Valley before dawn Monday, sending torrents of water and mud gushing down a hill and swallowing everything in its path.

The tragedy was the deadliest episode in the country since the start of the rainy season.

The disaster has sparked an outpouring of condolences and pledges of solidarity with the affected families from all over the world.

Pope Francis on Wednesday said he conveyed his “spiritual closeness” to Kenyans “at this time when a severe flood has tragically taken the lives of many of our brothers and sisters, injuring others and causing widespread destruction”.

“I invite you to pray for all those who are suffering the effects of this natural disaster,” he said at a general audience at the Vatican.

The weather has also left a trail of destruction in neighboring Tanzania, where at least 155 people have been killed in flooding and landslides.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, leading to drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.