Kenya is facing a devastating crisis as the country grapples with “unprecedented” floods that have claimed the lives of over 200 people and submerged vast areas of the nation. President William Ruto has declared a state of emergency as the torrential rain continues to wreak havoc on the country’s infrastructure, displacing more than 160,000 people.
The situation has been described as dire, with abandoned vehicles submerged in water outside Nairobi international airport and reports of mudslides and flash floods causing further casualties. The recent bursting of the Nakuru dam resulted in nearly 50 fatalities, adding to the already staggering death toll.
President Ruto has warned that the heavy rainfall, attributed to the El Niño weather pattern, is expected to persist and intensify in the coming weeks. The government has initiated mass evacuations and allocated additional resources to provide aid to flood victims, as well as postponing the opening of schools and evacuating tourists and staff from the Maasai Mara game reserve.
The devastating impact of the flooding underscores the challenges faced by under-resourced governments in Africa in dealing with the effects of climate change and rapid urbanization. Experts point to inadequate land-use planning and corruption as contributing factors to the crisis, with urban areas lacking proper drainage infrastructure and facing catastrophic flooding as a result.
Despite the ongoing emergency, President Ruto has emphasized Kenya’s potential to benefit from the transition to a greener global economy, highlighting the country’s geothermal resources and advocating for carbon offset projects and nature-based solutions. However, critics have slammed the government for its perceived slow response to the crisis, with opposition leader Raila Odinga accusing authorities of being unprepared for the disaster.
As communities like Mai Mahiu struggle to recover from the devastation caused by the floods, residents like Wangari Thuku are left homeless and uncertain about their future. The government’s intervention is urgently needed to provide relief and support to those affected by the ongoing catastrophe.