The floods, triggered by heavy rains pounding Kenya’s highlands and upstream regions, have displaced thousands of residents in both Garissa and Tana River counties.
Villages have been submerged, roads cut off, schools closed, and farms destroyed as the swollen River Tana burst its banks once again.
Yet even as government agencies and humanitarian organisations urge residents to evacuate, some families are choosing to remain behind in flooded settlements.
For many of them, the decision is not about bravery it is about survival.
Residents say leaving their homes means risking theft of livestock, losing the little property they own, and abandoning farms that provide their only source of food and income.
In a region where poverty levels remain high and drought has repeatedly wiped out livelihoods in recent years, many families fear they may never recover if they leave everything behind.
In parts of Garissa, desperate families have erected makeshift shelters on slightly raised ground while continuing to watch over their animals and belongings.
Photos from the affected areas show parents and children exposed to scorching heat after escaping rising floodwaters with only a few household items.
Humanitarian agencies say the situation remains dire.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, several temporary camps hosted in schools have already been closed to allow learning to resume, forcing some displaced families to seek shelter elsewhere.
Relief officials warn that overcrowding, poor sanitation, and contaminated water are increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, especially among children.
The floods have also paralysed transport and trade in several areas. Key access roads linking villages to Garissa town have been damaged, making delivery of food supplies and emergency aid difficult.
Farmers have reported massive crop destruction while pastoralists continue counting livestock losses after animals were swept away by strong currents.
Local leaders are now appealing for urgent national support, warning that the crisis could worsen if rainfall continues in upstream catchment areas feeding the River Tana basin.
Disaster management officials have repeatedly urged residents living near the riverbanks to move to safer ground immediately, citing fears of more flash floods and sudden water surges from overflowing dams upstream.
But on the ground, many families say they have nowhere else to go.
For them, remaining in danger appears less frightening than losing everything they have spent years trying to build.
Post a Comment