This archive report was first published on 24 April 2020.
On April 24, 2020, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops' Justice and Peace Commission issued a statement urging the government to provide immediate support to those affected by floods in West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Homabay, and Kisumu counties.
According to Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, 28 deaths have been reported in Elgeyo Marakwet county alone, with only five bodies having been retrieved.
The commission, led by Chairperson Rev. John Oballa Owaa, called on the government to allocate adequate resources to address the immediate needs of the affected population, including those rendered homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rev. Owaa stated, 'We call on the two levels of government to immediately allocate adequate resources to address the immediate needs of the affected population.'
The commission also urged the public to follow early warning signs and directives to prevent loss of lives and properties, emphasizing that safety starts with individual and community responsibility.
Heavy rainfall, which was forecasted by the Meteorological Department, has caused widespread destruction, displacing over 400 households and leaving many families searching for their loved ones who are still missing.
Images from the affected areas depict a scene of devastation, with swollen rivers, impassable roads, and washed away structures and homes.
