The devastating aftermath of floods has left Kenya reeling, with heavy rains continuing to saturate the country and destroying homes, businesses, and lives.
Countless people are faced with the arduous task of going about their everyday lives in the middle of flooded landscapes and submerged buildings after weeks of relentless rains.
Charles Otieno, a Kiambu auto repair shop owner, fearlessly makes his way through puddles as he continues to serve his customers. The overwhelming pressure to support his two young children in the face of such adversity is what drives him to persevere.
Nancy Nafula, a mother of three, faces the hard reality of homelessness caused by the cruel floods just a stone’s throw away. Both her capacity to make a living and the future of her family are jeopardized by the flood.
As the situation worsened, the authorities sent out orders telling people to get out of regions that were vulnerable to flooding, such as those near rivers or dams. But for many, the chaos brought on by displacement compounds an already terrible condition.
“We are stranded,” Charles Otieno says, echoing the misery of many others. Even though I have a garage, it’s been three weeks since the rain began. These are my automobiles. I am starving because they got trapped.
The magnitude of the tragedy is truly remarkable, with over 200,000 individuals impacted and over 40,000 households forced to flee their homes, as reported by the interior ministry. Equally devastating is the impact on infrastructure; the extreme flooding and strong rains hit more than 1,000 schools, necessitating immediate action to restore and renovate them.
Friday, May 10th has been designated as a public holiday in mourning of the 238 lives lost to the relentless floods, as a solemn recognition of the human cost of the ongoing disaster. The country takes a moment to remember the victims of the tragedy and to show its support for those who are still trying to recover.
As Kenya faces the devastating effects of nature’s fury, the strength and unity of its people are evident, highlighting their will to overcome hardship and restore damaged lives and communities.
