More than 300 people have been displaced and property destroyed by flash floods that have affected Mombasa and its environs as heavy rains continue to pound the area.
Two Tanzanian nationals were rescued as the floods swept multiple areas across the six Mombasa sub-counties of Changamwe, Jomvu, Kisauni, Likoni, Mvita, and Nyali for three days in a row.
The Tanzanians were rescued at Bamburi Beach after being blown off course by strong winds.
According to the Mombaasa County Commissioner, Mohamed Hassan, the two Tanzanians had drifted from Pemba Island since April 14 and had landed at Bamburi on Wednesday this week.
Hassan said some families have been displaced by the floods and their property destroyed.
“The county has continued to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds over the past three days,” he said. “This has resulted in widespread flooding across most parts of the county, causing displacement of residents and significant damage to property,” he said.
Hassan said about 390 people displaced in Jomvu and Likoni after their houses were destroyed have been relocated to safer areas.
The heavy rains also affected various infrastructure, including the Inuka Police Station which was heavily flooded, forcing law enforcement operations to be moved to Shelly Beach Police Station.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, has visited the area on Tuesday to assess the situation. Hassan said strong winds had destroyed the Al-Mandhiry Mosque’s roof and partly damaged that of the Regional Commissioner’s office.
The County Commissioner said electricity poles had been damaged in areas such as Mtongwe and Tudor–Mworoto slums. He said Kenya Power had been notified of the incidents, as they posed safety risks to residents.
Rescue and humanitarian efforts by the Disaster Management Committee and various stakeholders have been stepped up in the area. Mr Hassan said the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) in collaboration with County Government officials and the Red Cross, have been actively sensitizing the public to relocate to safer areas.
He noted that hotspot areas had been identified for targeted interventions and preparedness planning.
