Physical Address
Plot 123 Kampala, Uganda
Torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and landslides across Kenya in recent weeks, killing at least 210 people, are forecast to worsen over the rest of this month, President William Ruto said Friday.
The floods have wreaked havoc, destroying homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure across Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy. The death toll exceeds that from floods triggered by the El Nino weather phenomenon late last year.
“Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period, as the situation is expected to escalate. Meteorological reports paint a dire picture,” Ruto said on Kenyan television. “Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone.”
Kenyan officials said on Wednesday that they have begun the evacuation of tourists marooned by flooding in the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve in the southwestern county of Narok.
Narok County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu said two helicopters have been deployed to rescue tourists and workers in Maasai Mara.
Dozens of tourists and locals working at hotels, lodges, and tents inside Maasai Mara narrowly escaped death at dawn on Wednesday when the Talek River, which runs through the wildlife sanctuary, burst its banks after torrential rains, causing widespread destruction.
Ntutu said all the visitors and workers had been evacuated safely and transferred to nearby hotels and camps where there was no flooding.
“We are implementing plans and mobilizing resources to respond promptly to distress calls and ensure the safety of our residents. We are remaining dedicated to fulfilling our duty to protect and serve the people during these challenging times,” Ntutu said in a statement issued in Narok town.
Witnesses said visitors and workers were forced to climb trees on Tuesday night after the camp was marooned in water; dining halls were waterlogged, and the water level continued to rise.
Kenya is grappling with floods that have claimed 200 lives and displaced more than 190,000 people, according to government statistics.
In a recent briefing, Alfred Mutua, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua urged hotels and camps adjacent to rivers in the major national parks and reserves to put in place evacuation measures in case of flooding.
“Several camps have been affected by flooding, prompting our coordinated efforts to evacuate visitors, and we have been successful so far,” Mutua said.
