The government has launched a series of emergency interventions to support communities affected by flooding following heavy rains recorded on March 6 and 7 in several parts of the country.
Authorities say the response is being coordinated through a multi-agency team bringing together national and county government agencies to strengthen rescue operations and assist families affected by the disaster.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the measures are aimed at helping affected households while also boosting ongoing rescue and emergency response efforts.
Among the interventions announced is government support for families who lost relatives in the floods. The state will meet mortuary and funeral expenses for victims as part of efforts to ease the burden on grieving families.
The Kenya Coast Guard Service has also deployed 100 personnel to assist in rescue missions in flood-prone regions. The teams have been dispatched to areas including Naivasha, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Port Victoria, Turkana, Baringo, Lamu, and Mombasa.
Rescue boats have been stationed in vulnerable regions to assist with evacuations, while a mobile rescue team made up of eight specialised officers has been placed on standby to allow rapid deployment whenever emergencies arise.
The National Youth Service has also activated its disaster response units. These teams have been equipped with cranes and other machinery to assist with evacuations and emergency operations in affected areas.
Rescue operations are already underway in several regions. In Kisumu County and Nyakach, teams have evacuated residents who were trapped by rising floodwaters in villages including Nyang’onga, Abur, Gul, Nyakware, Nyamalo, Kongou, and Sango Rota.
Government agencies are also monitoring possible secondary risks linked to the floods. The Ministry of Energy has started inspecting fuel storage facilities to ensure floodwaters have not contaminated supplies, while a technical committee is assessing damage to electricity infrastructure.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health has deployed disease surveillance teams to areas affected by the floods to monitor and respond to potential outbreaks.
Health officials have reported 38 cases of Mpox, 199 cases of measles in Baringo, and four cases of anthrax in Nairobi. Response teams have already been dispatched to address the outbreaks and prevent further spread.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that rainfall may continue in some parts of the country. The weather outlook for March 10 to 16 indicates isolated heavy rainfall could be experienced in parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-Eastern Lowlands, and the South Coast.
The floods have so far claimed 49 lives across the country. Four people are still missing while four others are receiving treatment in hospital after sustaining injuries.
Nairobi City County has recorded the highest number of fatalities with 27 deaths. The Eastern region has reported 11 deaths, followed by the Rift Valley with five, while the Coast and Nyanza regions have each recorded one death.
The disaster has also forced thousands of families from their homes. More than 9,033 households have been displaced, with Nairobi again recording the highest number at 5,260 households.
The Rift Valley follows with 2,538 displaced households, while other affected regions include Central, Nyanza, Coast, Eastern, and Western.
Counties experiencing notable impacts include Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, Baringo, Kiambu, Kisumu, Migori, and Wajir among others.
The government has urged residents living in flood-prone areas to remain alert, follow official guidance, and move to safer ground if water levels begin to rise.
Kenyans have also been advised to stay away from flooded roads and rivers, treat drinking water to avoid illness, and report emergencies through official channels as response teams continue to manage the situation.