76 people have been confirmed dead from the ongoing heavy rains in different parts of the country that have resulted in floods that have ravaged villages in upcountry and estates and streets in towns.
According to the government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, 29 people have been injured through the rains and floods as 19 people are reported missing.
Mwaura who was addressing the media at his office in Nyayo house added that a total of 124,196 households have been displaced with a total of 131,450 people rendered homeless by the rains.
“We are sad as a government to announce that we have lost 76 people as up to yesterday due to the heavy rains that are pounding the country and causing floods ravaging residents in different parts of the country,” said Dr. Mwaura in a press conference Saturday afternoon.
However, the spokesperson noted that the government has put in place measures to support those affected by hosting them temporarily in camps where they are given humanitarian aid such as food and non food items.
He added that the government is working in conjunction with organizations such as Kenya Red Cross Society in aiding Kenyans noting that Kenya Red Cross has opened camps all over the country where Kenyans can visit to get help when affected by the rains.
The government spokesperson further revealed that the government has also engaged the military and National Youth Service to support in repairing and maintaining infrastructure in affected areas to provide services such as clogging the drainages and repairing broken bridges among others.
“We are here with different institutions of government including police, Kenya Defence Forces and NYS who are doing good work in all aspects to support and aid Kenyans in these challenging times,” said Mwaura.
The government has further cautioned Kenyans against continuing to stay in high risk areas and risk their lives and later on blame the government over their woes.
Dr. Mwaura further revealed that it is projected that the rains will subside starting Sunday and continue on Monday but the government will wait for an official report from the Meteorological Department on Tuesday before advising Kenyans accordingly on the way forward in the next seven days.
At the same time the Ministry of Health has opened an emergency desk at Kenyatta National Referral Hospital to handle any cases of infections emerging from the floods, especially waterborne diseases among other infections.
