Over 25 families in Seme village, Katani, Machakos County, were evacuated on Saturday night due to flooding in their homes.
Children and women were among the victims, trapped inside their homes when the flash floods struck during the night.
According to Anderson Mbae, Subcounty Police Commander for Athi River East, a rescue team responded quickly to the victims’ distress calls. The Kenya Red Cross led the team, which mobilised immediately to assist the affected families.
“We have received reports of flooding in Seme, Kamulu, Syokimau, and Kwa Mbemba areas, among others, after heavy rainfall pounded JKIA last night,” Mbae told the Star on Sunday.
“In Seme, approximately 25 households were evacuated, with most finding refuge with their neighbors on higher, safer grounds. All victims in Seme were successfully rescued during the night,” Mbae said.
The Kenya Red Cross response team, along with community members, is currently conducting rescue operations in Kamalu’s Okoa Bridge and Kwa Mbemba areas, both within Athi River subcounty.
“Kwa Mbemba village along Mombasa road is also flooded, alongside Kamulu’s Okoa Bridge area. Operations are progressing well, with reports from the site indicating that water levels are subsiding,” Mbae said.
Mbae mentioned that over 200 people were affected in Kwa Mbemba.
“Some of the flood victims are reluctant to leave their homes,” Mbae added.
Heavy rains were reported in most parts of Machakos and Nairobi counties, leading to the flooding.
Sections of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway were also flooded, disrupting transportation in and out of Nairobi City.
Mbae, however, reported no fatalities within Athi River subcounty following the night’s floods.
The situation has rendered most roads in the affected areas impassable.
The Mlolongo-Quarry-Katani road is severely damaged, with most motorists opting for alternative routes passing through Syokimau, which are also flooded.
Meanwhile, several flood victims who were earlier rescued from marooned areas and flooded roads in Athi River are still at Athi River Primary School.
The 26 individuals rescued while trapped in a village in Kinanie are currently at Kinanie Health Centre.
These two centers serve as government-designated camps for those displaced by floods.
Some victims have found accommodation with friends and relatives, while others have secured alternative rental houses where they have since moved with their families.
The River Athi has overflowed and breached its banks following heavy downpour in higher grounds like Kajiado County.
Security agencies continue to urge those living in lower grounds or near rivers like Athi and riparian areas to relocate to higher and safer areas.
Those in rescue centers continue to receive relief food and other essentials from the government.
