Kenya Red Cross admits floods caught responders off guard as death toll rises to 28

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has admitted that the devastating floods witnessed on Friday caught emergency responders off guard, even as the death toll linked to the ongoing heavy rains rose to 28.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen Weekend, KRCS Secretary General Ahmed Idris said the impact of the flooding was far greater than what had been anticipated, stretching rescue teams across affected areas.

He added that response efforts were slowed by flooded and impassable roads, which made movement across parts of the capital difficult during the rescue operations.

“We acknowledge that what we witnessed yesterday (Friday) was far beyond what we had anticipated in terms of impact, and as a result our teams were extremely stretched,” said Dr. Idris.

“One of the factors that delayed our response last night was that many roads were completely inaccessible, making movement very difficult. In some cases, it took us more than two hours to move from South C to, for example, along Ngong Road.”

The Red Cross boss noted that the organisation has since reviewed the situation and reorganised its response protocols to improve preparedness in case the rains persist.

He revealed that three emergency teams have already been placed on standby in Nairobi, equipped with rescue boats and specialised personnel.

“As we speak, we have three teams on standby in Nairobi, including two boats and fully trained aqua rescue teams. We have therefore put our best foot forward to ensure we can respond more effectively,” he added.

Dr. Idris said the organisation’s disaster response strategy is guided by weather forecasts and anticipatory planning to ensure resources are deployed before disasters strike.

According to him, the Red Cross has already distributed resources to areas most likely to be affected by floods and pre-positioned essential relief supplies for displaced communities.

“First, we greatly respect the weather forecast. Our policy position is that our interventions are guided by anticipatory planning. Once we receive the weather forecast, we immediately begin preparations and put in place the proper response mechanisms,” he said.

“We have already spread out our resources and assets to the areas where they are needed most. We have also pre-positioned essential non-food items such as temporary shelter materials, kitchen sets and other supplies required by displaced populations,” he added.

The organisation is currently monitoring at least 11 counties that have either been affected by floods or are at risk as the heavy rains continue across the country.

Dr. Idris noted that some areas are not yet affected but remain under close monitoring due to rising water levels in rivers and lakes.

“Siaya is currently not affected, but we are monitoring River Yala and its water levels. In Busia, we are now witnessing backflow from the lake, and if the rains continue, we anticipate that the situation could worsen and more areas may be affected,” he said.

He further clarified that not all the reported deaths were directly caused by flooding, as some fatalities were linked to other weather-related incidents.

“This evening in Lamu there was a lightning strike that killed one person. That is why the numbers have moved from 25 to 28,” he said.

“It is also important to clarify that the total figure is not solely as a result of flooding. Some of the deaths are linked to other rain-related incidents, such as lightning strikes.”

This is even as the government on Saturday activated a multi-agency emergency response team to coordinate rescue, relief and recovery efforts following deadly floods that have affected several counties across the country.

Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said floods have affected both urban and rural areas across the country, with impacts reported in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Makueni, Nakuru, Migori, Murang’a, Bungoma, Kwale, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi counties.

At the time, the CS confirmed that the death toll had risen to 25, including 21 adult men and two male children in Nairobi, as well as two children in Kitui County.

“In Nairobi, about 3,500 households have been affected. Kisumu County, 381 households affected after the Sondu-Miriu River burst its banks, impacting Kobala and Kobuya locations,” he said.

The weatherman at the same time warned that the ongoing rains would intensify up to Monday, 9 next week in most parts of the country.

In its latest forecast, the weather agency said widespread rainfall is expected to continue across Nairobi, with heavy downpours likely in Westlands, Dagoretti, Roysambu, Kibra, Embakasi, Makadara, Kamukunji, Lang’ata, Kasarani and Mathare.

Neighbouring Kiambu County is also set to receive significant rainfall, especially in Gatundu North, Gatundu South, Thika Town, Juja, Ruiru, Limuru, Kikuyu and Githunguri.

The advisory further indicates that parts of Kajiado County and Machakos County will experience isolated to widespread rainfall, particularly in Kajiado North, Masinga, Mavoko, Kathiani and Machakos Town.