Heavy rain in Kenya affects tens of thousands, disrupts cargo

NAIROBI: Kenya on Sunday said tens of thousands of people across the country had been impacted by heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides that had also interrupted cargo services at Mombasa port.

The Horn of Africa has experienced intense rainfall linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon in recent weeks that has claimed dozens of lives, including at least 46 in various parts of Kenya.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said at least 80,000 households in Kenya had been affected “with numbers rising every day”. He said the government was responding to “save our people” including with helicopters and other emergency services to deliver aid and rescue marooned families.

“This situation has continued to threaten lives,” he said in a statement issued on Sunday, urging the public to avoid floodwaters and evacuate homes in low-lying areas.