Floods death toll rises to 81 as over 68,000 people displaced

A flooded area / FILE

At least 81 people have died, and thousands have been displaced as devastating floods continue to wreak havoc across Kenya, with 21 counties now affected, according to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.

Data released on March 22 shows that seven people remain missing while 68,975 homes have been displaced amid ongoing heavy rains pounding several parts of the country.

Counties hardest hit include Nairobi, Kisumu, Narok, Kiambu, Migori, Siaya, Makueni, Busia, Wajir, Kisii, Homa Bay, Taita Taveta, Baringo, Kajiado, Kitui, Kwale, Machakos, Kericho, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and West Pokot.

The floods have severely disrupted essential services, with roads and bridges rendered impassable, power outages reported in several regions, and water supply systems damaged.

Schools have also been affected, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Authorities said key infrastructure has suffered significant damage, including widespread flooding of residential areas, destruction of farms, and inundation of markets and businesses, raising concerns over food security and livelihoods.

Regional data indicated that Nairobi has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 37, followed by the Eastern region with 21 deaths and the Rift Valley with 8.

The Nyanza region has reported seven deaths, while the Coast region has recorded five. The central region has three fatalities, with no deaths reported so far in the Western region.

The government, alongside agencies such as the Kenya Red Cross Society and National Disaster Operations Centre, is coordinating response efforts, including rescue operations, humanitarian aid distribution, and infrastructure restoration.

The Kenya Meteorological Department warned that the country should brace for continued heavy rainfall, flash floods, and storm hazards during the early part of the long rains season.

In the advisory issued on March 18, the weather agency said the rainfall would increase to more than 20mm in 24 hours from March 19 to March 24, 2026.

The rains are expected to peak between March 20 and March 23 before easing slightly on March 24.

“The rainfall being experienced over several parts of the country is expected to intensify,” the department said, noting that even as intensity reduces toward the end of the period, rainfall will continue in many regions.

Areas expected to be affected include the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, and Nairobi. Counties listed in the advisory include Turkana, Samburu, Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kericho, and Bomet.

Other counties likely to experience heavy rains are Kiambu, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Garissa. Parts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, and Tana River are also expected to be affected.

The department cautioned that the weather conditions could pose significant risks, including flooding and poor visibility.

“Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on the lookout for potential floods, flash floods, and poor visibility,” the advisory stated.