"Rising Toll: Kenya Floods Claim 288 Lives as Relentless Rain and Flooding Continue"

A mother and her  children gathering some of the few things left after have rain and flood completely ruin their home. Kenya

 "Kenya Updates: Death Toll Climbs to 228 Amid Ongoing Rain and Flood Crisis, No Relief in Sight"

In the wake of relentless rains and flooding, Kenya grapples with a rising death toll, now standing at 288, as announced by authorities on Sunday. Despite efforts to mitigate the crisis, there is no respite in sight.

While Kenya and neighboring Tanzania dodged the worst impacts of a tropical cyclone, the region continues to face severe weather conditions. In Kisumu County, western Kenya, the River Nyando overflowed, submerging vital infrastructure including a police station, school, hospital, and market in the town of Ahero.

The situation is exacerbated by weeks of unusually heavy rainfall, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern, wreaking havoc across East Africa. The toll stands at over 400 lives lost and several hundred thousand displaced from their homes due to floods and mudslides.

Kenyan government spokesman Isaac Mwaura emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging caution. Meanwhile, across the border in Tanzania, although Tropical Cyclone Hidaya weakened after hitting Mafia Island, the country remains severely affected by floods, with 155 fatalities reported since April.

In Kenya, despite the cyclone's weakening, coastal areas brace for heavy rains and rough seas. Tragically, one fisherman has already lost his life, with another reported missing.

The nation faces a grim reality, with 228 lives lost since March and 72 still missing. Over 212,000 people have been displaced, prompting widespread evacuations. The government issues warnings to residents living near rivers and dams, urging them to evacuate for their safety as water levels continue to rise.

Furthermore, the risk of waterborne diseases looms large, with cases of cholera and diarrhoea already reported. Jagan Chapagain of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies underscores the potential for a broader humanitarian crisis, given forecasts of further rainfall.