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Kenya Floods Kill 88, Displace 34,000 as Rivers Overflow

Published 24 March 2026

The Kenyan government reported Tuesday that two major rivers have burst their banks amid ongoing heavy rains, exacerbating floods that have claimed 88 lives across the east African nation this month and displaced more than 34,000 people. The crisis, which began earlier in March, has affected at least 21 counties, prompting widespread evacuations and raising alarms about public safety, damaged infrastructure, and escalating humanitarian demands.

The most recent overflows occurred along the Nyando River in western Kenya on Monday, where rising waters submerged parts of the Ahero Bridge on the Kericho-Awasi-Kisumu road, halting transportation in the area. The government's spokesperson office warned motorists to avoid the flooded route and use alternatives, especially at night. "This advisory is especially critical during the hours of darkness, when it may be difficult to accurately determine the depth and strength of the flowing water," the statement said. In Tana River County, the Tana River also breached its banks, inundating farms in Mbalambala and nearby areas, including Asako village, and endangering local food supplies.

Emergency operations have ramped up in the hardest-hit...

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