The Kenya Meteorological Department recently released a list of areas that are expected to be affected by potential flash floods as heavy rains pound various parts of the country.
In the heavy rains advisory alert, moderate rainfall of more than 20mm was expected over Central Kenya including Nairobi and parts of Western Kenya on Saturday.
From Sunday, June 2 to June 6, heavy to very heavy rainfall of more than 40mm in 24 hours is expected over several parts of Western Kenya, Southern, Central and Northern Rift Valley, Central Highlands and Nairobi.
The following counties have been listed as areas of concerns as they are expected to be affected by the floods; Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Bomet, Kericho, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma and Kakamega,.
Others include Vihiga, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Narok, Baringo, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Narok, Kirinyaga, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang’a and Nyeri.
The weatherman also issued several instructions to residents in the flash floods prone areas. People should avoid driving or wading through fast-moving waters.
Residents should also minimize their exposure to lighting by not sheltering under trees and near grilled windows as well as avoiding walking in open fields.
According to the weatherman, residents in Murang’a County should be on very high alert.
Those living in landslide and mudslide-prone areas of Kerio escarpments in Elgeyo Marakwet were advised to move to safer areas as rains continue to pound the region.
The weathermen fear several earth cracks that emerged during a long dry spell in the area will increase infiltration of rainwater and might trigger mud or landslides along the escarpments that stretch from Keiyo South to Marakwet East.
Elgeyo Marakwet meteorological director Simon Cheptot on Monday reported that heavy rains of over 20mm per day would be recorded in several areas of the county towards the weekend.
“The heavy rains pose a risk of landslides and mudslides, there is also a risk of rock falls. Let the residents move to safer grounds,” Chepkok alerted.
He added that such an occurrence may block Iten-Tambach-Kabarnet road that meanders across the landslide-prone escarpment.
Some of the areas mapped out as landslide-prone in Marakwet East constituency include Embolot, Embotut, Endo, Kaben and Mumol.
