Nairobi: The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), in a statement, said that at least 38 people have been killed by floods across Kenya, noting that the flood situation is moving from emergency to disaster level.
The heavy rains in the African nation have also disrupted normal business. As many as 38 people died in heavy rains in Kenya further destroying property.
At least one person was killed and six people were missing in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, Mathare slums on Wednesday following an overnight downpour.
Following this, residents of this informal settlement, mostly low-income earners, found themselves stranded in their homes due to severe flooding, Xinhua reported.
Moreover, in other parts of Nairobi, residents also woke up to flooded homes and businesses, impassable roads, and downed trees after a night of heavy rains.
Some areas were cut off from the city due to stormwater flooding the streets. The main bridge in Kitengela, a neighbourhood south of the capital, was flooded by the Athi River, leaving thousands of businessmen and office workers stranded.
According to the KRCS, the heavy rains have affected at least 23 counties across the country and left more than 110,000 people homeless.
The humanitarian agency further said that the crops on more than 27,716 acres (about 112 square kilometres) have been destroyed and about 5,000 livestock killed.
Kenya has experienced unprecedented heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 200 mm in one day, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD).
Following the rains, the institution warned that the rains would cause flooding across the country, with residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas advised to move to higher ground.
Kenyan authorities at both the county and national government levels, have directed residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.
Kindiki Kithure, cabinet secretary for interior and national administration, asked residents living near dams, including Masinga in the eastern region and Thiba in the central region, to relocate.
The Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said in an update released that Kenya is among the countries in the Horn of Africa experiencing abnormally heavy rains this season.
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