Fifty one camps that had been set up to temporarily host Kenyans displaced by floods have been closed as rains intensity reduce across the country.
The National El Nino Emergency and Disaster Response Command Centre in a statement on Sunday said the camps were closed after 94,108 displaced households (470,160 people) returned home due to receding water levels.
The counties where the displacement camps had been set up include Mombasa, Wajir, Kitui, Meru, Marsabit, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Narok, Nyandarua, Busia and Nairobi.
The government has advised caution during the Christmas period, emphasizing that the weather forecast indicates the likelihood of rain in parts of the South Eastern and Coast regions of the country.
Conversely, the North Eastern and North Western regions are expected to experience dry conditions with occasional light showers.
“All roads are now motorable, particularly those affected in the North Eastern and Coast regions but drivers across the country are advised to exercise caution and pay attention to safety advisories in case of heavy rains and unconducive driving conditions,” the government said.
According to the statement, 2,279 metric tonnes of Rice, 803 metric tonnes of Beans, 7.5 metric tonnes of corned beef, and four metric tonnes of fortified flour have been distributed in various counties affected by floods.
The counties include Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kitui, Meru, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Samburu, Turkana, Busia, Migori, Kisumu, Homabay and Muranga.
Similarly, a total of 257.5 metric tonnes of assorted medicines have been distributed to the counties to mitigate against cholera and other public health diseases resulting from abnormal conditions.
However, response efforts are still ongoing in Tana River county which was heavily devastated by the floods.
“Provision of iron sheets, mattresses, blankets, dignity kits, and tents continues in Tana River, one of the most affected counties, with 10,037 households displaced,” it said.
“Cholera treatment centres have also been established to cater to the 53 camps that have been set up in the county.”
The United States of America on Tuesday announced it will give $1 million (Sh.154,100,000) in humanitarian assistance to support Kenya’s flood response efforts.
This new funding will be used to provide emergency shelter assistance, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices amid the ongoing floods.
“The United States is a committed partner with the Kenyan people, their government, and the Kenya Red Cross Society,” U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman said.
Whitman said while touring the warehouses of the Kenya Red Cross Society on Tuesday.