Kenya Red Cross Helicopter Rescues Child Swept Away by Flood in Machakos County

A Kenya Red Cross helicopter has rescued a child who was swept away by floods in Machakos County, Kenya. The floods were caused by heavy rains that led to the River Athi bursting its banks.

Dozens of residents were trapped in various apartments and areas in the Mavoko division, and a multiagency rescue team, including the Kenya Red Cross, Machakos County Government, and Kenya National Police Service, evacuated them.

The rescued child was a 10-year-old boy named Mutuku Kioko, who was stranded by flood waters in Nduani village, Yatta subcounty. Mutuku had been left behind by his father, Martin Kioko, as the water levels near their home started rising.

The police helicopter was called in after boat rescue attempts by the Kenya Red Cross proved futile due to the ravaging flood waters. Mutuku was taken to the hospital after the evacuation and later reunited with his family.

Why this matters: The heavy rainfall and flooding, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, have caused widespread damage across Kenya and the East Africa region, displacing over 40,000 people in Kenya alone. The floods have affected critical infrastructure, including roads and rail lines, and pose a significant threat to lives and livelihoods in the affected areas.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti spearheaded a joint rescue and evacuation operation in Mavoko, where hundreds of residents were displaced by the flash floods. The team included emergency responders from Machakos County, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the National Disaster Management Centre, the Kenya Navy, and the National Police Service. Dozens of families in Graceland Estate, Kasuitu, Kwa Mang'eli, and Kicheko slums were affected, with significant damage to household property.

Governor Wavinya set up a temporary rescue center to provide victims with food, bedding, and medication. She urged residents living near or along the banks of River Athi to evacuate and seek shelter at the rescue center. The governor also noted that the flooding disaster was partly due to some developers defying physical planning regulations and building houses and estates in riparian areas.

The police commander described the flooding situation in Machakos as alarming and urged residents, especially those living in flood-prone areas, to relocate to safer grounds. He also cautioned against crossing flooded rivers and bridges or wading through any flooded waters that may put lives at risk. "The flooding in Athiriver subcounty, which has left a trail of destruction, was attributed to the low-lying topography," he added.

According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, the heavy rains and flooding in the region have killed 38 people and displaced over 11,000. The agency has rescued 180 people from the floodwaters across the country. Humanitarian needs have emerged, particularly for shelter, as many families have lost their homes.

Kenyan officials and humanitarian agencies have urged the population to avoid flooded areas, move to higher ground, and avoid driving in heavy rain. More torrential rains are expected, which could lead to further flooding and loss of lives and livelihoods.

Key Takeaways

• Kenya Red Cross rescued a child swept away by floods in Machakos County.
• Floods displaced over 40,000 people in Kenya, affecting infrastructure and livelihoods.
• Machakos governor led a joint rescue and evacuation operation for flood victims.
• Flooding killed 38 people and displaced over 11,000 across the region.
• Officials urged residents to avoid flooded areas and more heavy rains are expected.