Kenya: Flooding in Kajiado and Mombasa counties

Event

Several days of heavy rain have caused severe flooding in Kajiado county, notably along rivers, and devastating damage to infrastructure in neigboring Mombasa county. The Nairobi-Mombasa road had been rendered impassable due to flooding at a bridge close to the town of Sultan Hamud. As of early Monday, November 13, the situation was slowly returning to normal; however, a bus accident on Monday morning on the Nairobi-Mombasa road in Salama - likely due to poor road conditions - has again resulted in major traffic disruptions. 

Officials have issued alerts for ongoing flooding in regions across the country through the end of November. Some fear the flooding, exacerbated by poor drainage systems, could trigger disease outbreaks.

Context

Although the current rains are a welcome respite after a recent drought, arid conditions have left the soil ill-equipped to absord the current deluge, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Kenya typically experiences two rainy seasons annually: from late April to early June, and from October to November.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs disposed of. Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.