The El Nino rains are increasingly affecting many people in Kenya, with information from the meteorological department saying that the rains will increase over the next several days.
In groups, residents of Tana River County are on the move in search of a safer higher ground, away from the flooded areas that have swept away their homes, property and livestock. It is not an easy or cheap task for the people who are now reeling from the negative effects of the El Nino rains.
Residents of Bondi village are afraid that the water is increasing rapidly in their residence and so women, men and children make the trip to protect themselves while asking the government to help them settle due to the continuous rains.
The residents are among thousands of families that have been affected by the ongoing El Nino rains. The Kenya Red Cross says since the rains started in October, 80,518 families have been affected, with almost half of that number displaced.
Businesses, health centers, and schools have also been affected as the rains continue to fall in various parts of the country. The death toll from the rain has now reached 61, while 235 people have been reported injured and eight others are listed as missing.
Among those reported missing are two KRA toll collection workers whose car was stolen in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County while they were traveling to Mombasa. At the same time, the government says that the El Nino rain has now affected 33 counties, from the initial 19.
Indeed, the northern areas of Kenya continue to experience the worst effects of the rains. In Wajir, entire towns are submerged, schools, health centers and police stations have lost hospitality and lives are endangered by landslides caused by the rains.
To avoid further losses, the county and national governments are asking residents to heed the warning and leave dangerous areas.
The national government through the office of the vice president continues to call for effective measures to be taken including blocking waterways, moving to higher areas, and counties providing money to help reduce the effects of El Nino.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the national government is working hard to send helicopters to rescue those stranded and coordinate aid for those in need of humanitarian aid.
