Kenya is currently facing a major humanitarian crisis. As torrential rains have continued to batter the country since early March, the Ministry of Interior updated the toll this March 30: there are now 110 confirmed deaths and considerable property damage paralyzing the local economy.
Initially localized, the severe weather is now affecting the majority of the territory. Out of Kenya’s 47 counties, 30 have now been hit by rising waters.The loss of life is concentrated particularly in three key regions:The capital has paid the heaviest price with 37 deaths due to sudden and violent flash floods.26 victims have been reported. This region has recorded 14 deaths.
Beyond the loss of life, there is a growing social emergency: more than 6,900 families have been forced to abandon their homes to escape the rising tides. The surging water levels are transforming the Kenyan landscape into a danger zone. Rivers are bursting their banks one after another, creating a domino effect on infrastructure.
Disruption of Trade Routes: Last week, the Nyando River submerged the Ahero Bridge. This viaduct is a critical transit point for trade heading toward Uganda in the west.
Agricultural Disaster: The Tana, Kenya’s longest river, has flooded hundreds of hectares of farmland in the central part of the country, threatening food security for the coming months. On the ground, the Red Cross is conducting numerous heroic rescue operations. In Ahero last week, teams successfully evacuated nearly 200 people, 900 students from the national girls’ school, and hundreds of head of livestock.
While the government blames climate change for the unprecedented intensity of these rains, dissenting voices are being heard. « Authorities could do more to limit the effects of these disasters. » The NGO highlights a fundamental issue: massive deforestation. According to the 2024 State of the World’s Forests report, Kenya loses approximately 85,000 hectares of forested areas every year, removing essential natural barriers against erosion and water runoff. The country remains on high alert, as weather forecasts do not yet predict a lasting reprieve.
Secondine GOZINGAN
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