A rescue operation in Chokaa, Njiiru, Nairobi County, has saved 21 people, a dog, and a cat from rising floodwaters.
The Kenya Red Cross, in coordination with community members, led the rescue efforts in response to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the region.
Rescue in Chokaa
The rescued individuals included nine adults, twelve children, a dog, and a cat. They were relocated to a safer area as part of the ongoing operations to mitigate the impact of flooding in Nairobi.
Update: Twenty-one people, including nine adults, twelve children, a dog and a cat, have now been moved to a safer area. https://t.co/iy3Zp0t4wm— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 28, 2024
This rescue follows a similar operation in Utawala, Nairobi County, where six people were rescued after the pickup truck they were in was swept away by floodwaters.
The Red Cross has established an evacuation center at Huruma Grounds to offer temporary shelter to families from Mathare and nearby areas affected by the ongoing heavy rains and flooding.
This initiative is also being implemented in other parts of Nairobi to ensure safe shelter for those in need.
The Red Cross is providing non-food items such as kitchen sets, sleeping mats, blankets, soap, and other essentials to informal settlements impacted by flooding. These distributions aim to support those who have lost their homes or belongings due to the severe weather conditions.
The Kenyan government announced on Saturday afternoon that over 131,450 people have been displaced by the ongoing floods across the country, with more than 24,000 households affected.
To address the crisis, the government, along with its humanitarian partners including the Red Cross, has set up 50 camps across the country to provide temporary shelter for the displaced.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that 76 people have died due to the floods since the rains began on March 1, 2024, with 29 injured and 19 reported missing.
Nairobi has been significantly affected, with 32 deaths and 16,909 households displaced. The Kenya Coast Guard, National Police Service, and Kenya Defense Forces are collaborating to enhance search and rescue operations.
Floods impact
The floods have also caused widespread damage to public infrastructure, with several roads across the country rendered impassable.
Major affected routes include sections of the Modogashe-Habaswein Road, Modika-Dadaab Road, North Horr-Kalacha Road, Namanga-Amboseli Road, Isinya-Konza Road, Kamukuru-Elnagata Road, Elnagata-Kajiado Road, and Oltepesi-Magadi Road.
The government urges residents in flood-prone or riparian areas to move to higher ground to ensure safety, while the Ministry of Health has activated a National Public Health Emergency Operation Centre at Kenyatta National Hospital to address potential health risks from water-borne diseases.
