By Spy Uganda
At least 81 people have died across Kenya following weeks of torrential rains and flash floods that have left a trail of destruction in several parts of the country, authorities have confirmed. The heavy downpours, which continue to pound the region, have displaced thousands and destroyed homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure.
In Kisumu County, entire villages have been submerged, with approximately 1,200 hectares of farmland washed away. The hardest-hit area is Nyakach, where more than 3,000 families have been displaced after the Sondu Miriu River burst its banks. Local leaders say the scale of destruction has left many residents without livelihoods or shelter.
“We have lost farmlands due to massive erosion and many crops,” said local chief Seth Oluoch Agwanda, noting that affected families have been relocated to more than eight evacuation centres. However, victims say the situation remains dire, with limited access to safe shelter and essential supplies.
“There is no house that is not flooded,” said Kennedy Oguta, a resident struggling to find refuge for his family and livestock. Another resident, Sarah Akinyi Onyango, described how families remain stranded in rising waters, with children among the most vulnerable.
In the capital, Nairobi, authorities reported 37 deaths as floods swept through residential areas, damaging homes and infrastructure. Additional fatalities have been recorded in Kiambu County, while landslides have been reported in Kasaka, further compounding the crisis.
Government officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution as forecasts indicate that more heavy rains are expected in the coming days. Emergency response teams remain on the ground, but access to some affected areas has been hindered by damaged roads and rising water levels.
Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns across East Africa, with the region increasingly experiencing cycles of severe flooding and prolonged droughts. The latest disaster underscores the growing vulnerability of communities and the urgent need for stronger mitigation and preparedness measures.
