NAIROBI, KENYA — Recent torrential rains in Kenya have caused widespread flooding and landslides, claiming the lives of at least 210 people, with the death toll expected to rise as conditions worsen.
President William Ruto announced on Friday that the severe weather, which has devastated homes, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure across the country, will likely continue for the rest of the month.
"The situation is expected to escalate," Ruto said in a televised address. "Meteorological reports paint a dire picture, and Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone."
The approaching Cyclone Hidaya is forecast to make landfall in Tanzania, Kenya's southern neighbor, on Saturday, bringing with it waves reaching nearly eight meters high and winds up to 165 kph, according to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre.
The disaster has already caused severe damage, surpassing the devastation caused by the El Niño phenomenon late last year. The floodwaters have killed over 160 people in Tanzania since April, according to the country's government spokesperson, Mobhare Matinyi.
"This cyclone, named Hidaya, is expected to bring torrential rain, strong winds, and dangerous waves," Ruto stated. Earlier this week, he ordered people living in landslide-prone areas to evacuate to safer ground.
Additionally, the government has instructed residents near 178 dams and water reservoirs, which are nearing their capacity, as well as those in informal settlements close to rivers and streams, to move to safer locations. In response to the ongoing crisis, Ruto postponed the reopening of schools, originally scheduled for this week, until further notice.
The government has established 115 camps to accommodate those displaced by the flooding and is working with humanitarian organizations to provide food and other essential supplies to those affected.
However, Ruto's administration has faced criticism from opposition leaders and human rights groups for its handling of the disaster. Human Rights Watch accused authorities of lacking a timely national response plan, despite warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department a year ago about the potential impacts of El Niño-related flooding.
