Flood kills at least 24 in Kenya

Flood ravaging several parts of Kenya have killed at least 24 people and displaced 98,000 in the east African nation, a humanitarian agency said on Monday. Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) said most of the new cases have been recorded in Budalang region of western Kenya where raging floods has so far displaced more than 75,000 people and led to massive destruction of infrastructure. "We are estimating that 24 people have been killed as of Sunday. We have also estimated that 98,000 people have been displaced across the country," KRCS Public Relations and Communications Manager Fredrick Gori told Xinhua by telephone. "Most of the people are still leaving in camps because they are afraid of returning to their country as rains have been subsidized in some parts of the country," Gori said. The flood is the result of torrential rains that have eased Kenya's long drought but are making life miserable for people who live near rivers and in flood-prone areas. Gori said the most affected regions are in western Kenya where heavy rains washed away bridges and rendered many roads impassable, making difficult efforts to reach thousands of people made homeless by the flooding. Gori said the humanitarian agency was currently undertaking an assessment through its branches countrywide to establish the magnitude of the problem and identify the most vulnerable of those affected and areas which we have not reached because of logistical challenges. Gori said the displaced and those affected by the floods urgently require relief aid such as food, mosquito nets, tents, blankets, cooking utensils and medicine.