A floods assessment was conducted by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) throughout the country on 4th November 2009. The assessment confirmed that floods and landslides had been reported in various parts of the country. As a result, at least 12 deaths have been reported. Also reported were cases of over 1,958 households displaced and at least 8,943 others affected by same.
Some of the areas affected by floods include Malindi (Magarini District), where 2 people died and over 588 families were displaced, Tana Delta District, where 485 families were displaced and over 3,468 other households affected, and Elwak, where 30 families were displaced after another 270 families returned to their homes.
Incidents of landslides were reported in Mariaini village in Gathaithi location, Kahuro Division, Murang'a District, where the District Commissioner, Mr Natembea, confirmed the death of at least 1 person (a 13 year old girl) and the destruction of a house. Following the incident, local authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of 200 families, who inhabit the affected area.
In Moyale, a six year old boy was reported dead after he was swept away by flood waters in Lagdera. At least three people were reported missing in Moyale, since the floods started and more than 82 pastoral households were displaced.
Floods in Tigania West have resulted in deaths of at least two children in Kathambangiri in Akithi Division. Here, at least 30 families were displaced and over 76 families affected in Kathambangiri, Nchurai, Kalimbeni, Laithehithi and Lenthene villages in Akithi Division, Tigania West District.
In Igembe South, 2 adults died as a result of floods, which displaced at least 44 families and affected some 170 others. The deaths were reported in Hibi in Kangeta Division, while the displaced and affected households are in Hibi and Njia in Kangeta Division, Basir in Maua Central Division, Kathari in Maua Division and Mbooni in Igembe Central.
Landslides were also reported in Kithangani in Imenti South District where a woman was reported dead and her son injured. In Gutab in Marsabit, some 89 pastoral households were affected by floods. Reports indicate that 29 donkeys, 13 camels, 374 cows and 973 shoats have died due to the floods.
In Hola and Bura, most roads are not accessible as a result of the floods.Heavy rains received in Wajir East and South have affected at least 335 familes as follows: In Salalam (75 families), Kajaja 1 (70 families Kajaja 2 (80 families), Desheq (60 families) and Aragane (50 families). Some of the affected households had to dismantle their houses, which had been partially destroyed by heavy rains and build new structures. Some 20 cattle and 110 goats died as a result of the flash floods.
As a result of these cases of floods and displacements, the Kenya Red Cross has provided assistance to the victims by helping in the evacuation of families, providing non-food items such as kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets among other things, mobilizing families for registration before being evacuated, managing camps of the displaced people, sensitizing the displaced families on safe water, food, environment, domestic and self hygiene, and taking some flood victims for treatment. Other interventions by the Kenya Red Cross include chlorination of 510 contaminated wells and disinfection of toilets.
