Video: Kirinyaga Man Trying To Cross Swollen River Fights For Dear Life As Floods Overwhelm Him

• Kenya Red Cross rescued 18 people, including seven children and 11 adults, in Mathare in Nairobi after they were stranded following flood waters from heavy rains
• In Kirinyaga, a man escaped death by a whisker after being overwhelmed by flash floods as he tried to cross River Thiba in Mwea
• Residents in the region have been forced to travel a further five kilometres to town to access basic needs and other facilities

A man in Kirinyaga narrowly escaped death while attempting to cross River Thiba in Mwea Kirinyaga County.

The video by Citizen TV showed the man courageously crossing the swollen river before being overwhelmed by the speeding water.

He struggled to fight for his life as residents watched helplessly at the bank of the river before he safely found a balance.

According to one of the residents, the flooded river has disrupted life and access to basic facilities and services. Residents have been forced to travel five kilometers further to access Mwea town, as the river has broken its banks.

"This river has broken its banks and swept away everything at many homesteads. It is now difficult to access town if one resides in Kakongo, we are forced to travel more than five kilometers," a resident at the scene said.

Another woman at the scene cautioned residents against crossing the river, as the flooding has made it dangerous.

Effects of the flood

In the video, a distressed woman cried out after floods swept away her crops following the heavy rains that have continued pounding across the country.

"We are suffering. My crops have been swept away, we have no food, and homes have also been destroyed by floods," cried the woman.

Kenya Red Cross rescues Mathare residents

On Wednesday, April 24, the Kenya Red Cross reported that they had rescued 18 people stranded, including seven children and 11 adults, due to flooded waters after heavy rains overnight.

The residents were forced to seek refuge on rooftops after water filled their houses, before the the swift response from the humanitarian group.

What you need to know about floods:

• Health experts have advised Kenyans on what to have when their houses flood
• Rescue operations are ongoing in places flooded across Nairobi
• A boy was rescued on Monday after being marooned by floods in Machakos
• List of major roads affected by floods in Nairobi

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