11 more bodies retrieved from Mathare River
11 more bodies were on Thursday, April 25, 2024, retrieved from Mathare River in Nairobi County.
The bodies were carried away following heavy rains that have hit various parts of the country. The 11 are believed to have been swept away by the Tuesday, April 23, rain.
This means that in the last 24 hours, a total of 13 bodies have been recovered.
“The bodies have been taken to the City Mortuary and the search is still on. Equally, a rescue mission is also going on,” Mr Adamson Bungei, the Nairobi County police boss said.
Two bodies were also picked from the Kibra and Kayole Areas.
Meanwhile, a multi-agency team has been deployed in several parts of the country to deal with the flood situation which has led to the deaths of several people.
Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki now says that several parts of the country have severely been affected by the adverse effects of the unrelenting rains.
He also said that the government had also mobilised food and non-food supplies to support the displaced.
“Following a Directive by the President, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) at the Interior Ministry has this morning stepped up the coordination of multi-agency response interventions of relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as humanitarian organizations to offer support to affected persons,” Prof Kindiki said.
He said that already the National Police Service (NPS) was currently coordinating search and rescue operations by land and air. The Kenya Red Cross as well as part of the rescue team.
The CS said that the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has also been directed to step up its response operations.
According to Prof Kindiki, the Meteorological Department and Road Agencies had been asked to provide regular public advisories on areas that might be affected by the rain.
“Motorists and pedestrians are urged to cease and desist from risky behaviour in flooded or overly wet areas,” he said.
He also urged the county-based security teams to work with the county governments with the aim of ensuring that they evacuate all the people who might be at risk.
The CS said that currently all the available financial and human resources as well as public equipment are being deployed to mitigate the adverse effects of the raging waters on life, livestock, crops, and property.
“The public is urged to cooperate with safety, health, risk, emergency, and communication teams dispatched to monitor, report, and oversee help to those who may be in distress,” he said.