Unprecedented heavy rain has pounded vast areas of Kenya and the East African region. In Kenya, the torrential rain has mostly wreaked havoc in Nairobi and the surrounding areas.
The magnitude of rain that fell on the night of 23rd and morning of 24th April, 2024 was particularly disastrous.
According to CNN, 32 people died in the floods and other rain-related accidents during that period. 400 families were also left without shelter.
In addition to the unfortunate deaths and destruction of homes, the rains and floods disrupted transport services immensely.
Many people who drive or ride to work reported late yesterday, because they had to explore the few routes that were passable and safe.
Among the losses brought about by the extra heavy rains is destruction of crops. The affected farmlands run into several hectares.
According to the United Nations (UN), the heavy rainfall has affected 40,000 people and killed nearly 60 others.
The UN also cites the official number of missing persons as two. However, other sources put the number of those missing as six.
In Kenya, the areas most devastated by the massive rains are the slums. These include Mathare and Mukuru-Kwa-Njenga in Nairobi County, and Shauri Yako in Kikuyu County.
In the Mathare slums, people could be seen on rooftops of the remaining shelters yesterday morning, trying to escape danger. Media outlets reported that many of the slum dwellers spent the night of 23rd on rooftops, hoping to be evacuated to safety.
Rural Kenya is Also Affected by Floods
Things were not all rosy away from Kenya’s capital. A police helicopter saved a heavily-shaken boy, aged five, who was stranded in the floods of Yatta.
Yatta is a constituency in one of Kenya’s semi-arid areas within Machakos County. The place often experiences long spells of drought.
In the North Rift region, 400 families are said to be displaced due to the massive rainfall.
Flash floods were reported in Syokimau, a residential expanse within Machakos County, as heavy traffic jams inconvenienced travelers on Namanga Road.
These unfortunate occurrences resulted from the flooding of River Athi, whose length is only second to the Tana. While Athi River is 390 km. long, the length of Tana River is over 700 km..
In some of Kenya’s slopy areas, landslides have been reported.
For example, in Nyeri county, gullies and landslides have been reported in shambas (farms) close to Tumutumu Hill in Mathira constituency.
Also, some homes bordering the Sagana River (which is part of the Tana) have either been destabilized or completely destroyed.
Other Parts of East Africa also Affected by the Rains
Generally, rainfall has been extraordinarily heavy in the East African region this 3rd week of April.
The torrential rain has left several areas flooded, and many people are concerned. Even areas not known for severe weather elements have experienced scary lightning and thunderstorms.
In Burundi, floods have displaced 10,000 people.
Flooding in Burundi (Photo courtesy of Tearfund)
In Tanzania, the heavy rains have caused the deaths of 58 people.
Flooding in Tanzania (Photo courtesy of BBC)
In Kenya, the Red Cross has already dispatched rescue teams to areas seriously affected by the rains.
Also, the Governor of Nairobi, Johnson Sakaja, along with Members of Parliament for the area, have promised to assist those affected by the extraordinarily heavy downpour.
Meanwhile, vast areas of Nairobi and its neighborhood, including places often known for drought, such as Kitengela, Athi River, Mavoko and Ruai, remain flooded.