This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Heavy rains have been pounding different parts of Kenya, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The downpour has resulted in one death and scores of people being left homeless.
Lucia Lysine, a resident of Kakamega town, was killed by lightning on Friday evening. Her son, Laban Lihanda, described the incident, saying, “We heard an ear-splitting bang from outside followed by a blinding light, which was accompanied by flames of fire that struck him. He fell on the floor writhing in pain and died a few minutes later.”
Several towns, including Kakamega, Mumias, Luanda, Mbale, Busia, Bungoma, and Webuye, were flooded during the downpour. Rivers Nzoia, Isiuhu, Malakisi, Lwakhakha, and Sio overflowed, posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians.
Residents were warned against walking in flood water or driving over flooded rivers by Noah Eledi, the Bungoma County Director of Meteorology. He also cautioned people against sheltering under trees or standing near windows when it's raining.
Over 30 families were displaced in the Mt. Kenya region, with three major landslides reported in Mathioya, Murang'a County. The Thunantu River in Meru County burst its banks, displacing 35 families whose houses were demolished by the floods.
Gitonga Mugambi, the Kenya Red Cross Society Regional Coordinator, said the three mudslides at Gitugi and Kiambuthia villages in Mathioya left five families homeless. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Central Region Coordinator Wilfred Nyagwanga held a meeting with the Murang'a County Disaster Management Committee to discuss ways of averting losses. Mugambi said the counties worst affected by flooding were Marsabit, Isiolo, Moyale, and Samburu.
Two drownings have been reported this week, one in Embu and another in Nyeri town. In Kisii and Nyamira counties, several traders operating in the open air markets have been forced to stay indoors in the past one week due to the heavy rains.
Most traders have recorded losses as they are out of reach for customers. Mary Kemunto, a vegetable vendor, said, “Most of the roads are impassable. We are forced to use motorbikes to ferry vegetables to the markets but that is too expensive because we can’t carry bulky goods.”
Residents in Nyamira County have been forced to trek for more than 10km to seek treatment at Nyamaiya dispensary due to bad roads.
