FLOODS

Thousands of families have been displaced by floods that have continued to wreak havoc in various parts of the country.

The Kenya Red Cross society is now warning those living in flood prone areas to vacate their homes immediately when they are alerted and move to higher grounds to avert further fatalities.

In Samburu, the bodies of seven people who were swept way after seiya river burst its banks have been recovered.

OCPD Charles Munyoli called on the area residents to avoid crossing swollen rivers.

He said the floods have rendered the maralal - rumuruti road impassable after sections of the road were swept off by raging floods leaving thirty lorries stuck in the mud.

And three people had to be airlifted by a helicopter after River Tana burst its banks near the Kindaruma hydro dam in Mbeere South district Saturday evening causing massive flooding.

Dam spilling

The victims had to cling on trees for several hours after heavy rains in the upper stream caused the river to swell marooning their plots at Riachina village. According to Mutuovare chief Mr. Julius Njiru, the three had gone to cultivate in some small islands formed near the river but water increased rapidly and covered the entire land.

He said that the nearby Kindaruma hydro dam was spilling a lot of water after Friday's alert that the main reservoir for the hydro dams at Masinga was full.

"There is a lot of water flowing in the river and around these dams making it risky for any activity and we warn people to be alert," he said.

Amilitary chopper came to the rescue of the stranded victims and were air lifted to safe grounds by 5 Pm.

Njiru said that the fate of one victim who refused to board the helicopter was still unknown as he was said to have been left behind during the rescue operation.

Last week Ken Gen issued a flood alert to those living past the Kiambeere dam which is the last on the hydro cascades to move to higher grounds due to increased water in the River Tana.

In Rachuonyo North district, over 100 families have been displaced as a result of the raging floods following heavy down.

The Kenya Red Cross Western Kenya Regional Manager Emmanuel Owako said that the floods have not only displaced the residents but also damaged property worth thousands of shillings.

"Property and food crops have been washed away by the floods with several text book destroyed at a local school" he said.

Owako disclosed that Red Cross is providing basic necessities to the victims including food, blankets and tents.

Residents from the affected areas in the District have been moved to Nyakweri shopping centre for safety, as the situation is monitored.

Weather experts

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned again that the western part of the country and the central highlands are set to continue experiencing heavy rainfall in the coming week.

A statement sent by the Deputy Director of Meteorological Services Peter Ambenje to media houses indicates that the already swollen rivers Nzoia and Yala are consequently likely to sustain their current high levels.

"Rainfall totals of more than 100mm are likely to occur around Mt. Elgon and the Cherengani Hills," he said.

144 people have died since January with the death toll due to floods since March now topping 86.