Deadly floods and storms sweep across Kenya and Ethiopia, leaving at least 19 people dead

At least 19 people have died, and hundreds have been displaced in Kenya and Ethiopia due to storms, heavy rain, and flooding affecting various parts of the region over the last week. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing drought in the region, which has put millions of lives at risk.

At least 12 people died in Kenya, of which seven were in Gilgil Town, Nauru County, 3 others in West Pokot County, 1 in the capital Nairobi, and another in Suswa Town, Narok County. In addition, thousands of people have been displaced (including 812 households in Marsabit County, northern Kenya), and several houses damaged.

On March 23, heavy rain caused damage and flooding in Nairobi and surrounding areas, leading to one death, the destruction of hundreds of homes, and the displacement of families. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) reported that parts of the Nairobi – Mai Mahiu – Narok Highway were blocked or flooded.

Flash flooding in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on March 27, caused further devastation, with the Nakuru County Government reporting seven fatalities, five injured individuals, and significant property damage. Dozens of residents have moved to higher ground to escape the flooding. On the same day, stormy weather, strong winds, and heavy rain caused damage in Narok County, resulting in one death due to flash floods in Suswa.

In Kajiado County, at least 70 families were displaced after floods destroyed homes in Ilbisil, approximately 90 km (55 miles) south of Nairobi. Flash floods in Garissa County damaged major roads, including the Garissa-Modogashe road, and caused extensive damage to homes. Flooding was also reported in Tana River County and West Pokot County, where two people died in flash floods and another in a lightning strike.

In Kisumu County, local authorities have established evacuation centers in Nyando to accommodate around 200 people affected by flooding. In northern Kenya, around 812 households have been displaced in Walda, Marsabit County, due to rivers breaking their banks. Thousands of livestock are believed to have perished in the floods.

Deadly floods also hit Ethiopia over the past couple of days, claiming the lives of at least 7 people. According to local media, 4 500 households were affected in Dhawa Zone, an area heavily affected by drought.

The region’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands region is grappling with severe drought conditions, which have put food security and millions of lives at risk. In February 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called for urgent assistance as the Horn of Africa entered its sixth consecutive rainy season without rain.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast over north-western Kenya and south-western, central and north-eastern Ethiopia over the next 24 hours.

References:

¹ Kenya – Fatalities and Evacuations After Floods in Several Regions – FloodList – March 29, 2023

² Ethiopia, Kenya – Floods – DG-ECHO – March 30, 2023

Featured image credit: Kenya Red Cross Society

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