OCHA Flash Update #5: Floods in Kenya | 10 May 2018

Highlights

• More than 311,100 people have now been displaced by floods, with the death toll rising to 132.

• A dam in Nakuru burst its banks on 9 May, killing at least 30 people.

• At least 40 counties have been affected by floods, with heavy rains expected to continue.

Situation Overview

As of 7 May, at least 311,164 had been displaced by floods across Kenya, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The death toll has risen to at least 132 people, and a further 33 people have been injured.

In the evening of 9 May, a dam owned by an irrigation farmer in Solai, Nakuru, burst its banks, killing at least 30 people. The death toll is likely to go up as many people are still missing and search and rescue efforts are ongoing. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) reports that 500 households require shelter.
Media reports that at least 2,500 people are affected.

At least 40 counties have been affected by the floods. The government reports that roads have been cut off in nine counties (Garissa, Isiolo, Kisumu, Mandera, Marsabit, Nakuru, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir), seriously affecting transport and the humanitarian response. The overall scope and value of infrastructure damages is not yet known. At least 6,000 livestock have been killed and 8,450 hectares of farmland have been submerged in water.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Services rains are expected to continue until the end of May 2018.

Humanitarian Response

The national and local governments, together with the KRCS and humanitarian partners, are assisting flood affected people. Search and rescue of people marooned by floods is ongoing in several counties and the Government has called on people living in flood prone areas to move to higher ground.

The NDMA reports that food (maize, rice, beans and cooking oil) and non-food items (blankets, kitchen sets, mattresses, iron sheets, soap, sanitary towels) are being distributed, but responding organizations are dealing with shortages in supplies. The KRCS has distributed 15,000 NFI kits to 15,000 floodaffected households and reportedly only has 3,000 NFI kits left in stock. Similarly, the provision of shelter is a challenge. KRCS is assisting 48,000 displaced households but only has shelter for 30,000 households.

Water and sanitation interventions, including community sensitization and the reduction of environmental risks, have been prioritized to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. In urban areas, drainage pipes are being cleaned.

To get a better picture of humanitarian needs across the country, the Ministry of Devolution and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, together with the Ministry of the Interior and Coordination of National Government, KRCS and humanitarian partners, is undertaking assessments.

The next Flash Update will be issued as required, as soon as more information is available.