Death toll from Kenya floods rises to 228
A view from a helicopter shows a swollen river within the flooded area following heavy rainfall in the Talek region, of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya, May 1, 2024. Mara Elephant Project/Handout via REUTERS
NAIROBI (Reuters) – The number of people killed by flooding and other impacts of the heavy rains battering Kenya has risen to 228, the interior ministry said on Sunday.
The torrential rains that have caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country in recent weeks are forecast to worsen in May.
In a statement, the ministry said further flooding was “expected in low lying areas, riparian areas and urban areas while landslides/mudslides may occur in areas with steep slopes, escarpments and ravines.”
View of a swollen river near a safari lodge following heavy rainfall in the Talek region, of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County, Kenya May 1, 2024. REUTERS/David Macharia
The deluges have destroyed homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure across East Africa’s largest economy.
At least 164 people have been injured by the adverse weather, while 212,630 have been displaced, the ministry said.
(Reporting by Duncan Miriri and Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Bernadette Baum)