This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
Published on May 13, 2020, the Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall across the country from next week.
According to the department, the heavy rainfall is expected to affect various parts of the country, including the Rift Valley, Central, and Coastal regions.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko attributed the current flooding crisis to climate change, which has led to a drastic disparity in weather patterns.
“We take nature and environment quite lightly. Nature is unforgiving,” Tobiko said, adding that the clearing of forests from escarpments, hill tops, and slopes has aggravated the effects and consequences of heavy rainfall.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa reported that 807,000 Kenyans have been affected by the heavy rains that intensified last month.
Garissa, Tana River Counties, parts of areas around Lake Naivasha and Victoria have been the worst hit.
“The flooding situation continues to worsen, and we are asking Kenyans to be aware that the areas that are close to the rivers, prone to landslides… are risky areas to be during this period,” Wamalwa said.
