NAIROBI: The death toll from floods and rains in Kenya has risen to 70 since the start of the rainy season in March last month.
According to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the capital city, Nairobi, bore the brunt of this week’s heavy downpours, resulting in the loss of more than a dozen lives.
East Africa, known for its susceptibility to climate change, has experienced intensified rainfall, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern. El Nino typically brings increased heat globally, alongside drought in some regions and heavy rainfall in others.
Mwaura revealed that the government is set to provide a comprehensive briefing following discussions with the National Emergency Response Committee. The extreme weather conditions in Nairobi this week led to widespread chaos, with blocked roads and flooded homes in slum areas.
As the nation braces for further heavy rains in the coming days, Kenyans are urged to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, Kenya’s neighboring country, Tanzania, has reported a death toll of at least 155 due to flooding and landslides during this rainy season.
