afrol News, 6 January - At least 21 people have been killed and thousands left homeless after floods ravaged parts of Kenya in the past two weeks, Kenya Red Cross Society has revealed.

According to a communiqué issued by the organisation, non-food items like blankets, kitchen sets, bar soap among others were dispatched by the charity organisation to assist over 6,000 families in the South and North Rift Regions.

KRCS secretary general, Abbas Gullet said up to 30,000 people need tents, mosquito nets, water purifying tablets and other aid, emphasising that the number is likely to rise because more heavy rains are still expected until the end of the month.

Mr Gullet said that the situation on the ground required urgent attention before the rains caused more havoc.

He further appealed to individuals, the government and organisations to donate aid to that would replenish the charity’s stock which might dry out given the magnitude of the disaster in the country.

A total of 70,000 residents countrywide are estimated to be at risk with the Red Cross stepping in to assist the 30,000 individuals who were said to be in dire need of emergency aid in the two regions.

KRCS said most of the affected and displaced population by the floods were communities that were still experiencing famine due to the prolonged drought. The impact of the drought is estimated to have affected 3.8 million people in pastoral and agricultural areas.

The Kenya Red Cross Society has also expressed concerns that the aid deliveries might take longer to reach the beneficiaries given the severity of the roads as a result of floods.

Floods are not common this time of year in Kenya. Meteorologists have blamed the unusual heavy rains on El Nino.

El Nino is a periodic warming of the water in the tropical Pacific Ocean accompanied by changes in air pressure and winds that can affect weather worldwide.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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