Families Displaced, Crops Destroyed As Garissa Face Worst Flooding in Decades

Families in Garissa are grappling with the aftermath of severe floods caused by heavy rains in the highland regions of Kenya over the past week.

Residents in low-lying areas were last week urged to evacuate as the Seven Forks Dams could overflow, causing devastation.

Areas like Nyuki Village, Bula iftin, and Bula Punda have been hit hard, with the swollen Tana River bursting its banks and submerging homes.

With tears in his eyes, Mr. Mohamed Aden, a father of four, reveals the devastation of his home, expressing profound grief over the loss of his cherished belongings.

“We lost everything – our crops, our livestock, all our possessions. We don’t know how we’ll rebuild and feed our children,” he said, sobbing.

Similar scenes are unfolding across Garissa Township constituency, with overcrowded temporary camps lacking basic sanitation.

Hundreds of families are internally displaced, seeking refuge in temporary tents outside schools. Aid workers are struggling to distribute food, clean water, and medical supplies.

Mr. Hassan Osman, a flood victim, expressed concern over insufficient rations and contaminated water during an interview on Saturday.

“The rations are not enough and they run out quickly. We’re going hungry and children are getting sick from drinking the contaminated floodwaters,” he said.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo warned that this is the worst flooding in decades, displacing 20,000 people and destroying crops on over 5,000 acres, exacerbating food insecurity.

He emphasized the widespread displacement of residents and the extensive damage inflicted on crops, further deepening the region’s food insecurity crisis.

As the rains persist, there are fears of waterborne diseases spreading in the cramped camps.

The Kenya Red Cross urgently appeals for more tents, mosquito nets, and medical supplies.

Mr. Sahal Abdirahman, a resident of Mo Town said there is need for additional relief efforts and funds to avert a humanitarian crisis.

“We cannot afford to delay. Immediate action is essential to provide vital assistance to those affected by the floods,” said Mr. Sahal Abdirahman, stressing the urgency of the situation in Garissa.

He said the situation demands a coordinated response from both local and international agencies to ensure the well-being of the flood-ravaged families.

The Kenya Meteorological Department (Kenya Met) issued a severe weather alert for the upcoming 24 hours, predicting significant rainfall surpassing 40mm in various regions of the country, including major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu on Saturday.

According to the latest predictions, areas surrounding Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands on both sides of the Rift Valley will encounter heavy showers starting from Sunday.

Coastal regions are expected to bear the brunt of the precipitation, with rainfall possibly exceeding 50mm.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing information from the Kenya Red Cross Society, said close to 20,000 individuals have been affected by the ongoing severe weather conditions.

Among them, approximately 15,000 have faced displacement since the start of the rainy season in mid-March, attributed to intense rainfall and flash floods.

In Kirinyaga county, floodwaters have paralyzed transport services, with a recent incident rescuing 51 passengers from a bus swept away on a bridge near Garissa.

Authorities are urging residents in susceptible areas to prepare for further adverse weather conditions by securing loose items, ensuring unobstructed drainage systems, and staying informed through local media and community alerts.

Emergency services, including disaster response teams and medical facilities, are on heightened readiness, gearing up to swiftly address incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and road blockages.