Kenya — Floods Displace More than 244,400 People, Reportedly Kill 80, and Compound Ongoing Cholera Outbreak

UN OCHA* — Floods have now displaced at least 244,407 people (45,219 households) people across Kenya, including more than 23,000 displaced over the last week, as several parts of the country continue to receive heavy rainfall.

Deeqo Abdo watches as women build a stick shelter in the Ifo extension camp to Dadaab, in Kenya. Source: INTERNEWS/OCHA

The death toll has risen to 80 people, and 33 have been injured, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) search and rescue team. The highest displaced populations are reported in Tana River, Turkana, Mandera and Kilifi counties. In Nandi county, 243 households were displaced following a mudslide.

Floods and heavy rain have damaged infrastructure, preventing or limiting humanitarian access to many of the affected areas and cutting off people’s access to markets in multiple locations.

In Wajir, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River and Garissa counties, transportation of humanitarian supplies has been hampered due to roads being cut off. In the North Eastern counties, access to the most vulnerable communities in rural areas continues to be a challenge due to impassable roads.

Education and health facilities have also been impacted, with at least 29 schools and 33 health facilities inaccessible according to the KRCS.

• Floods have displaced more than 244,400 people and reportedly killed 80.
• The highest displaced populations are reported in Tana River, Turkana, Mandera and Kilifi counties.
• The heavy rains and floods have compounded the ongoing cholera outbreak and chikungunya epidemic and are increasing the risks of a large scale outbreak.
• Several parts of Western and Central Kenya are likely to experience above-normal rainfall during the month of May.

Extensive damages and losses have been reported to agricultural fields and livestock, with at least 21,741 acres of farmland destroyed and an estimated 19,223 livestock losses reported, according to the KRCS.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the climate outlook for May 2018 indicates that several parts of Western and Central Kenya are likely to experience above-normal rainfall, while the remaining areas are likely to receive near-average rainfall.

There are concerns that people who were displaced by the floods and have since returned home might be affected by further flash floods if rainfall continues, particularly in Western counties.