Kenya Red Cross begins flood assessments across the country

The Kenya Red Cross has begun assessments in several parts of the country following floods that have displaced families and disrupted livelihoods after days of heavy rainfall.

The humanitarian organisation said its teams had been deployed to affected areas to establish the scale of displacement and identify families in need of urgent assistance as rescue and relief efforts continue.

Speaking on Citizen TV, the Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Ahmed Idris said the organisation’s immediate priority was to obtain accurate information about the number of people displaced and those who may be missing after the floods.

“Our concern now is getting the right information around the displacements and that is why our teams are conducting assessments across the country,” said Dr Idris.

He noted that gathering reliable information would help emergency teams coordinate humanitarian support, including rescue operations, temporary shelter, and relief supplies for affected communities.

Idris also urged Kenyans to report family members whose absence is unusual so that authorities and humanitarian agencies can quickly begin tracing efforts.

“We are making a specific appeal to Kenyans, if there are any family members who are missing, it is important that it is reported,” he said.

He clarified that the organisation was encouraging the public to report cases where individuals cannot be physically located and their disappearance is not part of their normal routine.

“Missing does not mean you have looked for them on phone and you cannot find them, but you have looked for them and cannot find them and their absence is outside a regular pattern in their lives,” Idris explained.

The Red Cross official said timely reporting of missing persons would significantly improve search efforts and increase the chances of locating individuals who may have been separated from their families during the flooding.

He asked members of the public to contact the organisation through its emergency hotline if they suspect a loved one may be missing.

“Our toll free number is 1199. Please call if you have any concern about missing individuals,” he said.

Parts of the country have experienced heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to flooding in several towns and settlements, particularly in low-lying and informal residential areas. The floods have forced some residents to abandon their homes while others remain stranded due to damaged roads and submerged pathways. 

Emergency response teams from the Kenya Red Cross have been working with government agencies and community volunteers to assess the situation, assist affected families and provide first aid where necessary.

The organisation said the information being collected through the ongoing assessments will guide relief interventions and help determine the resources required to support displaced families.

At least 23 people have been killed in Nairobi after heavy rain overnight caused severe flooding in the capital.