Torrential rains batter Kenya

International aid floods in

January 16, 1998
Web posted at: 10:17 a.m. EST (1517 GMT)

GARISSA, Kenya (CNN) -- The government of newly re-elected Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi is being criticized for its poor response to deadly flooding devastating the normally semi-desert nation.

Although the heavy rain has cut off entire districts and threatened the country's tourism and farm-based economy, Kenya's armed forces haven't been called in to help, observers say. Instead, relief operations have been left in the hands of international aid agencies.

"I have to be honest and say it's somewhat disappointing," Mike Sackett of the World Food Program said. "They have, of course, been preoccupied with the election, but the election is now over, and we'll be making it clear to the Kenyans that we'll be looking for a much more active involvement on their side."

In a speech before the Nairobi Stock Exchange Thursday -- his first in 19 years of rule -- Moi pledged to rebuild the country's infrastructure, which already was crumbling before the relentless rains. Moi wants to lure investors to Kenya.

Meteorologists in Kenya said rainfall over the last four months has been five times the normal amount, and the rains are expected to continue through next month.

At least 71 people have drowned, and about 700 more have died from an outbreak of Rift Valley fever, which floods helped spread by providing breeding pools for the mosquitoes that carry the virus. At least 60 people have died of diarrhea.

The steady downpour, blamed on the El Niño weather phenomenon, has washed away bridges, submerged houses and triggered landslides in Nairobi, blocking many of the major roads. Much of the rest of the country is completely inaccessible by road from the capital.

In Nairobi, once rated as one of Africa's best-kept cities, roads have collapsed or are pocked with craters, and sanitary conditions are deteriorating.

"I have lived here for more than 10 years and can tell you I've never seen anything like this," said businessman Unesmus Gathoga, surveying his flooded house in Nairobi's Eastleigh township. The house had been for rent.

"How can I rent this? There is water in the living room and the bedrooms," he said.

Residents flee to camps

Outlying provinces also are in trouble.

In and around the provincial capital of Garissa, about half a million people have been waiting for supplies and other aid, which must be delivered by air.

Across Kenya, major rivers have burst their banks, washing away houses and forcing thousands of people to move, some to flimsy camps where there's almost no shelter from the weather.

Moi was sworn in for fifth term earlier this month

"The rains have caused massive flooding and this one has caused a lot of displacement to people," said Simon Kioi of the Kenyan Red Cross. "It has also caused loss of lives to both humans and animals."

Villagers who walk miles to obtain food from relief agencies say there is hunger and disease in outlying villages.

"There's malaria," one old man said. "And other new diseases, with people bleeding from their orifices, and cholera."

Whenever possible, clean water is pumped from canvas bladders to taps. In some places, children dig holes in the road to collect water, which can be surprisingly clean, because the sand acts as a natural filter.

The World Food Program's relief operation has doubled the length of time it was due to run, since there's no sign that the rains will stop soon.

The agriculture department predicted that the flooding will cause Kenya to face widespread famine this year, estimating that some 52 million hectares (128 million acres) of cultivated land may be destroyed.

The Daily Nation newspaper, in a Wednesday editorial, urged the government to make contingency plans to cope with the imminent food crisis.

"The greatest danger to the entire country will come from the combined impact of the current destruction and the aftermath of this unusual weather," the newspaper said.

Nairobi Bureau Chief Catherine Bond and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Moi proposes 'new chapter' for Kenya - January 4, 1998
• Moi wins disputed Kenyan election - January 3, 1998

Related sites:

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• Africa.com
• Africa Online
• Africanews Online
  • Kenya News
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• World Food Programme

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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