At least seven individuals are feared dead after being swept away by a flooded river in south-eastern Kenya. The victims, part of a group returning from a meeting with First Lady Rachel Ruto in Nairobi, attempted to cross the Muooni River, leading to a tragic incident amid the ongoing severe flooding across Kenya and East Africa.
Local Chief Norman Musyoki reported that the group, stranded by the flooded river, chose to cross on Thursday evening, sitting on a log in the middle of the raging waters. The sudden rise in floodwaters overwhelmed them, with witnesses helplessly watching as they were swept away.
Authorities are working to determine the exact number in the group, but witness accounts suggest at least seven individuals were affected. Rescue operations by local authorities and the Kenya Red Cross are currently underway.
The broader impact of the floods linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon has been severe, claiming the lives of at least 71 people and displacing over 150,000 in Kenya. The situation is dire, with 33 out of 47 counties affected, and Makueni being one of the worst-hit areas.
Despite the widespread devastation, Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua declared on Wednesday that the national government would not fund flood-response efforts. The floods have taken a toll not only in Kenya but across borders, with more than 130 casualties reported in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, according to the aid agency Oxfam.
The tragedy highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the impact of extreme weather events linked to climate change, emphasizing the vulnerability of communities in the face of such natural disasters.
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