NAIROBI, Kenya, May 13, 2002 (ENS) - Heavy rains across much of East Africa this month have proved deadly, particularly in Kenya. Floods and landslides in Kenya have killed at least 53 people including nine people who died following a violent thunderstorm in Nairobi Sunday.

The destructive storms have displaced more than 150,000 people, according to official sources and media reports.

Bridges and roads have been swept away and schools are closed in many parts of the country.

"These floods are the worst to hit the country since 1997, when heavy rains linked to the El Niño phenomenon killed more than 80 people in 24 hours", says Abbas Gullet, secretary general of the Kenya Red Cross who just returned from an assessment in the flooded area.

One of many trucks mired in mud and water, this one near Isinya on the Nairobi-Namanga road. (Photo courtesy The Sunday Nation)

Torrential rains in the western districts of Migori, bordering Lake Victoria and Tanzania, made the Kuja and Migori rivers burst their banks, flooding many areas of the Nyanza province. Severe flooding has been reported in the districts of Kisumu and Busia in the vicinity of Lake Victoria.

Nyando and Kisumu districts are the most devastated and areas where the population is in the greatest need. In Nyando District, 2,800 families were surrounded by raging waters and relief assistance could not get through.

The only direct road linking Murang’a to the capital Nairobi was cut off after a bridge was washed away by flood waters at Saba Saba.

Other districts near the Somali border and Nairobi are also affected by heavy rains.

Police in Nairobi confirmed that two people were electrocuted and a third one was struck dead by lightning within the city, while two adult males and a woman and her baby were swept away by flood waters.

There is special concern about villages and towns near the Tana River. It is feared that three hydroelectric dams along this river will overflow within the coming days due to water running down from Mount Kenya. One of the major dams on the Tana river is already at its maximum capacity. The towns of Garissa and Hola are at a very high risk.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an appeal for US$1.04 million to enable the Kenya Red Cross Society to assist 125,000 people. The funds will be used to provide flood victims with shelter materials and emergency relief items.

"We call on sister Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as other local and international donors to support the Kenya Red Cross in its remarkable efforts to alleviate the suffering of fellow countrymen affected by this disaster", says Françoise Le Goff, Head of the Federation's Regional Delegation in Nairobi.

Among the most urgently needed items are blankets, tarpaulins, jerry cans, mosquito nets and water purification tablets.

Throughout the affected area, wells and latrines have been flooded out, which has resulted in a shortage of drinking and cooking water and has increased the risk of an outbreak of water borne diseases.

The National Disaster Operations Centre in the Office of the President yesterday expressed concern about an outbreak of cholera around the Kenya border with Somalia.

The East Africa Standard in an editorial today blamed the government's forest policy for the killer floods. "The destruction of forests is the main reason for the current flooding and landslides that have hit the country," the newspaper said.

"Unless we re-assess the continuing destruction of forests, and grabbing, the repercussions will be catastrophic," said the editorial.

More heavy rains are predicted as the long seasonal rains are expected to run through June.