Kenya Red Cross Shares Safety Tips As Floodwaters Wreak Havoc: "6 Inches Can Knock You Down"

• While issuing his statement on the state of floods in the country, Raila Odinga asked President William Ruto to declare floods a national disaster
• Kenya Red Cross continued with rescue missions across affected areas in the country, where residents are trapped
• The humanitarian organisation shared a guide on how to maintain safety during floods to avoid a crisis

Heavy rains have continued to pound in various parts of the country, causing flash floods and deaths.

How many people have been affected by floods?

According to a report by NTV, 12 people have lost their lives, 10 bodies were recovered from River Mathare in Nairobi, while two bodies were retrieved in Kajiado.

According to Starehe sub-county police commander Fred Abuga, eight more people were still missing as of Wednesday, April 24. He said the search is ongoing.

In Nairobi, more than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes following the heavy rains on the night of Tuesday, April 23.

The county government urged residents around riparian areas, and areas likely to flood to vacate to safer zones.

What are the safety measures during floods?

The Kenya Red Cross has since shared tips to observe as heavy rains continue. They include:

1. Evacuating immediately to elevated areas in case of flooding. This is mainly for people living in lowland areas. Lowlands are vulnerable to flooding due to their topography.
2. Switch off electricity at the main switch if the house is flooded
3. Note that just six inches of moving water can knock you down
4. Avoid parking, driving, or conducting activities along rivers or streams during flooding
5. One-foot moving water can sweep your vehicle away, so avoid using flooded rivers
6. Do not drive over flooded bridges
7. Avoid down power lines and muddy waters where power lines may have fallen.
8. In flooded areas, use a stick to test depth.

The flooding situation in Nairobi

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the police in Nairobi were across roads flooded in Nairobi, to reduce the mess caused by floods.

On Wednesday evening, Azimio leader Raila Odinga addressed the media on the state of floods in Kenya and called on President William Ruto to declare the flooding situation a national disaster.

What to know about the floods:

• Health experts have shared safety measures during the flooding season
• Azimio MPs have donated KSh 1 million for flood victims in Nairobi
• Alfred Keter asked William Ruto to declare floods a national disaster
• Mathare-based activist among 10 dead in floods

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke