At least 70 people killed by flooding in Kenya since March, government says
Kenya and other countries in East Africa – a region highly vulnerable to climate change – have been pounded by heavier than usual rainfall in recent weeks, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern, AFP reports.
El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, leading to drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.
"The official tally of fellow Kenyans who regrettably have lost their lives due to the flooding situation now stands at 70 lives," government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said on X, after torrential rains killed more than a dozen people in the capital Nairobi this week.
Mwaura said the government would issue a "comprehensive brief" following a meeting with the national emergency response committee after the extreme weather caused chaos across Nairobi this week, blocking roads and engulfing homes in slum districts.
Kenyans have been warned to stay on alert, with the forecast for more heavy rains across the country in coming days as the monsoon batters East Africa.
At least 155 people have died in neighbouring Tanzania due to flooding and landslides.
Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said Thursday that more than 200,000 people had been affected by the disaster, with 155 fatalities and 236 people injured.
He said homes, property, crops and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railways and schools had been damaged or destroyed.
