Two KCPE candidates among 6 killed in flood incidents

Another victim died after a house collapsed in the Kisauni Area of Mombasa County.

In Summary
  • Many others were displaced as the meteorological department warned of more rains in many parts of the country this weekend.
  • Officials said three of the victims included an 85-year-old grandmother and two candidates of the just concluded KCPE exams who died after they were swept away by heavy torrents in Elwak, Mandera County on Friday.
Flooded houses in Nyando, Kisumu county
Flooded houses in Nyando, Kisumu county
Image: FILE

At least six people were killed following heavy downpours witnessed in different parts of the country.

Many others were displaced as the meteorological department warned of more rains in many parts of the country this weekend.

Officials said three of the victims included an 85-year-old grandmother and two candidates of the just concluded KCPE exams who died after they were swept away by heavy torrents in Elwak, Mandera County on Friday.

Another victim died after a house collapsed in the Kisauni Area of Mombasa County on Thursday night, while the other two victims died in Kwale and Meru counties respectively, police said.

Other officials warned the toll may increase following heavy rains experienced on Friday night and in particular Nairobi and its environs.

Many informal settlements were affected with most roads flooded, police said on Saturday adding no death had been reported.

Two schools and two health centres were submerged in Mandera County as the rains continued to be experienced. Locals said Alu-Weys Primary School, Elwak Deb Primary School, Elwak Sub County Referral Hospital, and Adra Health Centre were all severely affected.

Over 5,000 households were affected in the area.

Mandera County's Ministry of Health issued an alert, warning that the Elwak sub-county, which bore the brunt of the catastrophe, is at risk of a waterborne epidemic.

The county government said Elwak town is flooded, with almost all latrines filled up, leading to backwater overflow into stagnant pools on plots, streets, and other public areas.

“Mandera County, Elwak Subcounty, grapples with devastating floods, claiming lives and impacting over 5,000 households. Vital institutions, including schools and hospitals, face operational disruptions. Uncertainty surrounds livestock losses, complicating this crisis,” the county government said in a statement.

In Kisauni, Mombasa County, one person died when a house caved into the heavy rains.

The deluge which persisted also caused significant flooding after drainage systems clogged.

In Kwale County, another victim was swept away by flash floods as he tried to cross River Ngoni in Maweu, Samburu village.

In the Igembe area of Meru County, another person was swept away by the surging floods as he was heading home, police said.

The heavy rains caused River Athwana to burst its banks, leading to massive floods that displaced hundreds of residents from their homes.

Many families in Tigania, Meru County, were left homeless and without access to food.

Many who are displaced are camping at various centres seeking help.

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