Rescuers were digging through mud with shovels to recover victims' bodies as the number of people still missing rose steadily after rains triggered heavy flooding and landslides across Kenya. At least 169 people have died across Kenya since last month due to heavy rains and flooding.

Mai Mahiu

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

The devastating impact of heavy rains and flooding across Kenya has continued to escalate, with a rising death toll and a growing number of individuals reported missing. Rescuers have been mobilized, working tirelessly with shovels to navigate through mud in search of victims' bodies. The tragic incidents, stemming from severe weather conditions, have so far resulted in at least 169 fatalities across the nation since last month.

In the central Kenyan town of Mai Mahiu, flash floods and a mudslide early this week inflicted grievous losses; the Kenya Red Cross reported that at least 48 people perished, and many others are still unaccounted for. The deluge caused widespread destruction, sweeping away cars, railway infrastructure, and numerous homes. Mary Mwangi, a survivor of the ordeal, recounted a harrowing tale of loss, her voice a testimony to the disaster's devastating human toll.

The repercussions of the flooding extend beyond the loss of lives, with over 190,000 individuals forced to evacuate their homes, including a significant number from Nairobi, as revealed by the president's office. President William Ruto has issued a warning to residents in areas susceptible to landslides, urging them to relocate to safer grounds to avoid potential casualties. Moreover, the president's office has forecasted more heavy rainfall in the coming days, heightening fears of further havoc.

In 2022, similar conditions led to the deaths of at least 120 people in Kenya due to flooding influenced by the El Niño weather phenomenon, followed by a severe drought that gripped significant parts of East Africa. The current events underscore a recurring pattern of climate-induced extreme weather, with scientists pointing to climate change as a catalyst for the increased frequency and intensity of such disasters. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Tanzania and Burundi are also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rains, experiencing significant loss of life and displacement of populations.



Death toll and missing from Kenya's floods rises

Rescuers on Tuesday continued to recover victims' bodies as the number of missing across Kenya in flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains rose steadily. In Mai Mahiu in central Kenya, at least 48 have been killed and dozens remain missing after a mudslide and flash floods hit the town early on Monday, the Kenya Red Cross said. The water swept away cars, railway tracks and houses. Mary Mwangi's family were overwhelmed. My last born daughter, who was holding onto my back while we were in the water, was begging me not to leave her. I reassured her and asked her to hold onto the nearby floating debris. Unfortunately, she has gone now. My eldest daughter is in hospital at Mai Mahiu, but the rest... At least 169 people have died across Kenya since last month due to heavy rains and flooding. Over 190,000 people have been forced from their homes, including 147,000 in the capital Nairobi, according to the president's office. Kenya's President William Ruto told citizens living in landslide-prone areas to leave or risk losing their lives. More heavy rainfall in several parts of the country is expected in the coming days, the president's office said. At least 120 people were killed in Kenya last year by flooding caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. It was followed by the worst drought large parts of East Africa had seen in decades. In neighbouring Tanzania and Burundi, dozens more people have also been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced by heavy downpours. Scientists say climate change is causing more intense and frequent extreme weather events.

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Climate Crisis