The County Government of Narok, the Mara Elephant Project and the Kenya Red Cross are conducting a search and rescue operation at Maasai Mara to rescue trapped tourists in different camps.
In a statement, the Kenya red Cross indicated that they have rescued 36 people by air and another 25 through an aqua rescue team after several tourists were trapped in the Reserve’s camps and hotels.
In some camps, tents have been swept away, and the Mara Bridge, linking the Mara Triangle and the Greater Mara, has been washed away.
“An ongoing search and rescue operation is underway for tourists trapped by floodwaters in over 14 tourist camps in Talek, Narok, after the Talek River broke its banks.
“Collaborating with the National and County Government of Narok, the Mara Elephant Project and community members, we have rescued 36 people by air and another 25 through an aqua rescue team,” Kenya Red Cross stated.
Earlier: Several Maasai Mara Game Reserve hotels, lodges and camps at the reserve were submerged after Talek River burst its banks following heavy rainfall on Tuesday, April 30, night.
Chief Park Warden Stephen Minis has confirmed that the floods being experienced in different parts of the country have affected the tourist’s destination as well.
At the same time, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has asked tourists and locals around the national parks to prepare for potential evacuations.
“Attention all hotels and camps adjacent to rivers within national parks and reserves: Prepare for potential evacuations should rivers overflow. Develop clear evacuation, transportation, and hospitality protocols.
“Several camps have been impacted, prompting our coordinated rescue efforts, which have been effective this far,” Mutua stated.
Kenya Red Cross Emergency Contacts :(+254) 703 037 000
Toll Free: 1199
National Emergency Disaster Helpline: 0800721571
Earlier, The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced the closure of three roads in Nairobi following heavy downpour experienced overnight on Tuesday, April 30, into March 1, morning.
In a statement, KURA indicated that Enterprise Road, Eastern bypass and Thika bypass had been closed temporarily asking motorists to use alternative routes.
Further, the authority stated that traffic police and a technical team had been positioned at the road to direct traffic and enhance the safety of Motorists.
Here are the latest updates on the floods experienced in different parts of the country
2:31 pm: Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has announced that 10 more people have died in the last 24 hours as a result of the effects of the ongoing heavy rainfall. This has raised the national flood-related death toll to 179 deaths (164 adults and 15 children).
Additionally, 20 more people have been reported as missing, putting the national tally of those reported as missing at 90. Another 125 Kenyans have been injured and are receiving treatment in health facilities across.
“Moreover, the ongoing flooding has led to the displacement of an additional 1,127 households raising the number of displaced households to 31,341 with 195,011 people affected.
“Before the end of today, members of the public residing within the risky areas are required to relocate within 48 hours. These include the areas near dams and other water reservoirs in public or private land.”
2:06 pm: KeNHA has opened the Athi River – Namanga (A2) Road indicating that the water has subsided.
“The Authority, however, appeals road users to approach Kimalat section of the highway with caution even though traffic flow has been restored.”
1:18 pm: KeNHA has announced the closure of Kedong Ranch – Suswa Road due to heavy debris and siltation for over two kilometer stretch of the road caused by persistent heavy rainfall.
“We have closed the section for the next 12 hours to facilitate smooth clearing operations.
“The Authority staff have been working tirelessly to clear the section. However, thea continuous heavy rainfall has resulted in significant deposits of fresh silt and debris, rendering the road impassable.”
1:10 pm: Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor leads post-mortem of victims of Mai Mahiu tragedy at Ume Funeral Home, Nakuru County
11: 51 am: The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced temporary closure of the Thika Superhighway between Kahawa Barracks and Kenyatta University for Thika-bound traffic. The closure comes after floods blocked the service lane leading to the Engen underpass a few meters from Kenyatta University.
11:35 am: The Kenya Red Cross has rescued 16 people marooned by floodwaters at Konoramadha in Saka, Tana River County. In a statement, the humanitarian organization has indicated that efforts to reach around six more people are ongoing.
11:10 am: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced the closure of Athi River – Namanga Road (A2) at Kimalat area.
“This follows flooding occasioned by overnight heavy downpour that led River Kimalat to burst its banks. Alternative routes through earth roads are equally flooded.”
11:07 am: Maasai Mara Game Reserve Chief Park Warden Stephen Minis has revealed that several hotels, lodges and camps at the reserve have been submerged after Talek River burst its banks.
10:56 am: Red Cross deploys helicopter to offload food supplies to families cut off by floodwaters for over a week in Shompole, Kajiado.
“This effort will directly benefit 350 families. Given the ongoing floods and continued response, critical supplies such as food and other essential items are low.”
10:51 am: Mai Mahiu landslide death toll has hit 51. Several residents still missing.
10:21 am: The Kenya Red Cross has indicated that 11 people and one dog have been rescued from Kitengela estates as floodwaters are slowly subsiding.
9:50 am: Njoro-Molo Road has been blocked by flood water following heavy rainfall.
8:29 am: A four-story building under construction has collapsed in Kirinyaga, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
7:41 am: The Kenya Red Cross has indicated that six people have been rescued so far in Kitengela, Kajiado County, following heavy rainfall.
The humanitarian organization is rescuing families in the area and moving them to safety after floods marooned their homes.
“Our teams are actively involved in helping households along Deliverance Road, Balozi Road, Baraka Road, Blessed Court, New Valley, Changombe, and KAG. Efforts to reach others in this challenging operation continue.”
7:20 am: Traffic disrupted along Thika Road at Kahawa sukari and Kenyatta University (KU) after the road was rendered impassable following heavy overnight rainfall.
Earlier: President William Ruto ordered all Kenyans living within fragile areas prone to the effects of the heavy rains to vacate.
Ruto through a Cabinet dispatch on April 30, 2024, directed those living within fragile ecosystems prone to floods, mudslides, landslides and those along riparian lands to move out within the next 48 hours.
Also Read: We Are Dying – Kitengela Woman Screams for Help as Floods Swallow Homes
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