Ukambani counties of Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui have been the latest victims of the ongoing flash floods in the country. In Makueni alone, 16 fatalities have been reported, with homes destroyed by mudslides and roads left impassable.
Officials from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in Makueni, collaborating with the Makueni County Disaster Response Unit, have identified severely affected areas such as Mbitini and Wote Nziu wards, as well as Mbooni (Tulimani) and Kaiti (Kilungu and Ilima).
Evans Peter, the coordinator for KRCS in Makueni, highlighted the dire situation, noting that numerous households, particularly in Mbitini areas like Mutiswa, Mutyambua, and Barazani, have suffered significant damage, with approximately 404 households affected across the county.
In Mbooni, the Tawa-Mbumbuni road has been completely disrupted, halting transportation since the onset of the rains due to the closure of Kalingile drift. This obstruction has impeded the movement of goods and people, particularly to Machakos and Nairobi, causing significant inconvenience for residents.
Urbanus Kyalo, leading the county’s disaster response team, reported an increase in incidents of houses collapsing due to landslides and mudslides, particularly in Kaiti areas of Kilungu and Mbooni.
Furthermore, the aftermath of a tragic incident last Friday at River Muatineni still lingers, with five individuals still unaccounted for after being swept away while attempting to cross the flooded river.
