Torrential rain in Kenya has led to floods claiming the lives of at least 112 people and displacing thousands of others over the last two months, AFP quoted the International Committee of the Red Cross as saying on Friday. Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet made a request for aid amounting to $5 million (approximately Rs 33.4 crore) to provide relief to people in the 32 counties affected by the flooding.
“Since early March, 112 people have lost their lives countrywide,” Gullet said. “About 48,177 households have been displaced so far and this translates to 260,200 people that are displaced.”
Around 21,000 acres of crops had been destroyed and some 20,000 animals washed away, he said. As many as 42 health facilities across the country have also been affected, local daily Capital FM Kenya reported.
Gullet said over 100 schools have been submerged, and some have turned into camps for refugees. Roads in Turkana, Baringo, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit counties have been badly damaged over the last two months, the daily said.
The situation has led to a sharp rise in food prices in the country. The flooding has also caused cholera outbreaks, with 15 of the country’s 47 counties affected, Al Jazeera reported.
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