Heavy Rainfall Archives

Four Killed By Floods In Nairobi’s Kibra Slams

by Mustafa Juma May 14, 2021

A heavy down pour being witnessed across the country turned tragic in Nairobi’s Kibra slams on Thursday night after at least four people got killed by floods.

Reports indicate that the victims met their death after they were swept by floods while crossing Mutuine River in Kibra, Nairobi.

This followed heavy rains that were experienced in the city and it’s environs on Thursday evening.

According to witnesses, the four were swept away by the raging water as they tried to cross a bridge there.

Their bodies were however yet to be found on Friday morning.

A search and rescue mission was ongoing in the area with hopes of finding them.

Police and rescuers said they fear more deaths would be reported because of the floods that affected various informal settlements in the city.

Nairobi police boss Augustine Nthumbi said teams had been mobilized to help in the search and rescue missions.

He added they are conducting a survey to check the extent of the issue. Property of unknown value was destroyed in the floods that ensued.

Residents of some estates reported flooding in their areas which affected their operations.

Some residents were forced to endure long hours on the road while others were forced to spend the night on the road following heavy rains that continue to pound the capital.

The heavy downpour resulted in heavy traffic gridlock, flooded roads as well as cutting off of sections of roads making the movement of traffic a nightmare.

Motorists and commuters alike have had to suffer the consequences of the heavy rains with others forced to spend the night on the road.

The situation has been worsened by ongoing infrastructural developments going on across the city with the construction of the Nairobi Expressway playing a major role in the mess.

Motorists have been forced to wade through flash floods occasioned by heavy rains, with Kenya Meteorological Department warning the rains will continue throughout the week.

May 14, 2021 0 comment

Lifestyle

Bungoma Vulnerable Families to Receive Relief Foodstuffs

by Pauline Waswa May 28, 2020

written by Pauline Waswa

Close to 7,537 families in Bungoma South Sub-county are set to receive relief foodstuffs following the ongoing heavy rains across the country which have seen some of them homeless.

200 houses have been totally demolished so far in Bungoma South Sub county and this comes in as a relief to many vulnerable families who have been affected.

Bungoma South Sub-county’s total population of the affected families include 43,755 people in number consisting of 9,003 the age of 5 years and below, female at the productive age of 12 years and above standing at 12,288 and those leaving with disabilities being 2,106.

The Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator while addressing the press on May 28 2020 spoke on the county’s preparedness in curbing the Covid 19 pandemic, saying that so far 124 residents have been tested and 2 of them being positive but gladly one responded well to medication and now the county registers only one case.

The administrator stated that leaders within his Sub-County are working hand in hand with the Sub-County Covid-19 Response Rapid Committee team to ensure that residents stay safe and follow the government’s directives.

‘’We formed covid-19 response team within our Sub-County whereby we meet once per week to discuss on progress of our people,’’ he said.

He however, applauded the move by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi who has greatly supported the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 by providing auto-mated sanitizing booths within Bungoma town populated areas.

‘’I appreciate our area MP Wafula Wamunyinyi for parting with us in food donations, face mask supply and hand wash sanitizers without forgetting major partners like Chamber of commerce Bungoma, Bungoma County government, the Rotary Club and the Kenya Red cross In ensuring that our people stay safe,’’ he said.

He added that the Government is having a plan to employ youths from all the villages to help out with the cleaning of dirty areas within the Sub-County citing Mwikhupo, Namwacha, West Sang’alo, Kibabii, Sio and Oldrex as the most affected slums in Bungoma.

‘’This is a Government program at recruiting all unemployed youths to help in the cleaning of slum villages and planting of trees,’’ he said.

He further warned residents to stop ignoring the directives that have been put in place calling upon more so the Bodaboda operators to continue wearing masks and following the directives properly.

May 28, 2020 0 comment

Residents in these areas advised to be on lookout for potential floods

by Mustafa Juma October 17, 2019

written by Mustafa Juma

The weatherman has warned that Nairobi, Central Kenya and Coastal counties will experience heavy rainfall of more than 20mm beginning Wednesday, October 16, at 6am.

Besides the listed areas, the intensity of the rainfall is expected to hit at least 40mm in Western Kenya, North Eastern and South Eastern regions beginning Thursday, October 17, to Sunday, October 20 at 9pm.

Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Taita-Taveta, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Migori, Nandi, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homa-Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Kajiado, Nakuru, Marsabit, Mandera and Wajir are the counties that the Kenya Meteorological Department says will be hardest hit by the downpour.

“Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods,” said the Kenya-MET in a press statement to newsrooms.

“Flood waters may suddenly appear even in places where it has not rained heavily and can be deeper and faster than they look, especially in semi-arid and urban areas,” added the weatherman.

“Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in moving water or open fields, and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to avoid exposure to lighting strikes,” said Kenya-MET.

The weather forecaster has advised Kenyans living in landslide-prone areas such as Mt Kenya and Central Kenya regions “to be on high alert”.

“The heavy rains and moderate to strong winds may result in storm surges along the Coast, hence fishermen and all the marine industry should be on high alert,” said the weatherman.

October 17, 2019 0 comment

Brace yourselves for heavy rainfall if you are in these parts of Kenya

by Mustafa Juma October 11, 2019

written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu and Mombasa are among the major towns that the weatherman warns will experience heavy rainfall between Thursday, October 10 and Monday, October 14.

In an advisory shared with the public on Thursday, the Kenya Meteorological Department (MET) said the heavy downpour will be accompanied by strong winds.

Nyeri, Meru, Kakamega, Kisii, Machakos and Taita Taveta will also be affected in the said-period.

Other counties that will experience the extreme weather patterns include: Vihiga, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Nyamira, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Busia.

Narok, Laikipia, Baringo, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Kiambu and Nyandarua will also experience heavy rainfall.

Besides Mombasa, other affected counties in the Coast region include Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Lamu.

Wajir, Garissa and Mandera counties in the North-Eastern region will also be hit by heavy rains.

Makueni, Turkana, Marsabit and Samburu are the other counties that will experience heavy downpour between Thursday, October 10 and Monday.

MET advises the residents of the listed areas to be vigilant, and, at the same time, look out for potential flashfloods.

“Flood waters may suddenly appear even in places where it has not rained heavily and can be deeper and faster than they look. Residents are advised to avoid driving through, or walking in, moving water or open fields and not to shelter under trees and near grilled windows to minimise exposure to lighting strikes,” said MET.

“People in landslide-prone areas should be on high alert. The heavy rains and moderate to strong winds may result in storm surges along the coast; hence fishermen and all in the Marine industry should be on high alert,” said the weatherman.

October 11, 2019 0 comment