Floods kill 8 in Kenya
2005-05-24 11:50
Nairobi - Floods caused by heavy rains have killed at least eight people and displaced tens of thousands across Kenya this month, officials said on Tuesday as downpours continued in parts of the East African nation.
Over the weekend, three sisters drowned in the northern part of the central Rift Valley and an infant was swept away by waters in western Kenya, bringing the flood-related nationwide death toll in May to eight, police said.
The actual toll may be much higher due to the remoteness of the regions affected with above-normal rainfall and difficulties in reaching the areas with relief supplies, they said.
In western Kenya, where heavy rains are continuing to fall causing rivers to burst their banks, officials said more than 2 000 families — about 12 —000 people — have been displaced by floods and hundreds of livestock swept away.
Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) spokesperson Anthony Mwangi said if the rains do not stop, schools in the region might be forced to close down.
In northern Kenya, at least five people were killed by floods earlier this month that left about 25 000 Somali refugees at United Nations (UN) camps in Dadaab district homeless.
The KRCS said on Tuesday rains were continuing in Dadaab but UN High Commission for Refugees officials were not immediately reachable to comment on the current status of the camps.
Similar heavy rains killed at least 50 people and displaced tens of thousands across Kenya last year.