Taita Taveta, Meru, Migori counties worst hit by floods, government spokesperson says

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.[File, Standard]

Taita Taveta, Meru and Migori Counties are the worst affected by floods caused by the ongoing El nino rains, Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura says.

However, Mwaura says Lamu and Tana River Counties, are also likely to join the worst affected Counties if the rains continue as predicted.

“Flood water continues to flow downstream and shall affect the two counties, putting them on high alert,” Mwaura says in a statement on Wednesday, December 6.

In the last 24 hours, 5 deaths have been reported raising flood-related toll to 165 deaths.

So far, about 107,843 households comprising about 539,215 persons have been displaced.

Mwaura has also said the government has created 11 additional camps (5 in Tana River,4 in Kilifi and 2 in Lamu) to accommodate the displaced citizens.

The floods have wreaked havoc on vital infrastructure, destroying 4 roads, 832 acres of farms, 23 homesteads, 3 bridges, 3 schools, and a chief's office here in Lamu County. Faza Primary, Rehema Primary and Safirisi Primary Schools have had their infrastructure destroyed by the floods and/or housed livestock.

A total of 1,770 acres of farmlands is submerged in Hindi ward, another 2,100 acres of cropland destroyed in Bahari ward, 5,400 acres of cropland destroyed in Mkunumbi ward, 6,382 acres marooned in Hongwe ward,26,731 acres under production destroyed in Witu ward, 495 acres destroyed in Basuba ward.