500 Households Displaced as River Breaks Banks Following Heavy Rains

Kenya Red Cross on Sunday, May 12, revealed that River Daua had broken its banks displacing hundreds of families in Mandera County. 

It was revealed that the flooding occurred due to heavy rains that were experienced in the Southern Ethiopian Highlands. 

According to reports, most of the residents affected resided in lower parts of the river at Mandera East County.

“The Kenya Red Cross has already registered the affected families to provide food and other essential items support in the coming days,” the organisation stated. 

Additionally, UNICEF Kenya has already helped 350 of the affected households. 

The households have already received essential wash items including jerrycans, soaps, water treatment chemicals and dignity kits. 

Kenya Red Cross stated that it was working closely with other partners to raise more essential items. 

Most of the homes in the region were submerged by the floods forcing emergency evacuation in the area. 

Kenya Red Cross has already set up a convening point at higher grounds where the residents have been able to converge and receive aid. 

The floods which have been caused by heavy downpours in the East African region are now in the third month. 

According to the Office of the Government Spokesperson, the floods have claimed the lives of 257 Kenyans.

Additionally, 293,000 people have been directly affected with over 50,000 households displaced. 

The National Government has rolled out an initiative to award Kenyans who have been forced to evacuate Ksh10,000 which is expected to cover a 3-month rent.