The ongoing long rainy season in Kenya, which typically spans from March to May, has unleashed unexpected and devastating downpours, leading to widespread flooding since mid-April. The impact has been severe, with over 286,000 people affected, 47,000 households displaced, and a tragic toll of 238 reported deaths across 37 of the country’s 47 counties.
Dr. Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, revealed the dire consequences of the flooding, stating that 14 health facilities have shuttered, and a crucial water treatment plant has been compromised, leaving approximately 3,000 people without access to safe drinking water. Additionally, 44 cases of cholera have been confirmed in Tana River County, one of the hardest-hit areas by the floods.
To address the escalating crisis, the Government of Kenya has initiated a comprehensive emergency response, coordinated by the Kenya Disaster Emergency Operations Centre in Nairobi. The centre serves as a hub for gathering and analyzing information from the 33 affected counties to inform decision-making processes.
Hilary Limo, the manager of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, emphasized the government’s whole-of-government approach, spearheaded by President William Ruto, aimed at mitigating the widespread suffering caused by the floods.
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In collaboration with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya Red Cross Society, AMREF, FHI360, and Foundation for Professional Development, the Ministry of Health has established an incident management system team to oversee surveillance, case management, laboratory services, logistics, and community engagement to monitor and manage disease outbreaks.
To ensure continuity of healthcare services for the affected population, medical camps have been set up with the support of the Red Cross, serving over 4,000 individuals affected by the closure of health facilities. Additionally, over 720 first responders trained by WHO are being deployed or on standby to provide health services to displaced individuals in the country’s 192 camps.
Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO representative in Kenya, reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting the health emergency response and emphasized the need for swift containment of disease outbreaks to prevent further spread.
In response to the urgent need for medical supplies, WHO has procured cholera, interagency, and pneumonia kits for distribution to key counties, capable of treating approximately 10,000 people.
Looking ahead, Hilary Limo stressed the importance of assessing the aftermath of the floods, ensuring continuity of care, and building resilience within communities. She emphasized the necessity of mobilizing additional rapid response teams and collaborating closely with partners to secure resources for these efforts.