"East Africa Braces for Cyclone Hidaya After Devastating Floods Claim Hundreds of Lives"

Torrential rains have caused devastating floods in Kenya, resulting in 210 deaths, thousands displaced, nearly 2,000 schools destroyed, and all remaining schools shut down until further notice. The situation is expected to worsen as Cyclone Hidaya approaches the region and is set to hit Kenya and neighboring Tanzania late on Friday.

Why this matters: The devastating climate, change, impacts, risks in Kenya highlight the urgent need for proactive disaster management and investment in resilient infrastructure, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Failure to adapt to these changes can lead to catastrophic consequences, including loss of life, displacement, and economic instability.

Heavy rainfall across East Africa has been ongoing since March, with the Meteorological Department warning of continued rainfall until June. The government has been criticized for its poor infrastructure and lack of investment, exacerbating the flooding. Jane Wambui, a flood survivor, lamented, "There are many people who cannot be found. Many of my neighbors cannot be found."

Residents in hard-hit areas like Mathare have expressed frustration with the wild, weather, climate, change, role, climate, tec response. Collins Obondo, a Mathare resident, questioned, "The government says they deployed the military and the national youth service and they are stepping up search and rescue missions, but where are they? It has been a week, and where are they? I have not seen anyone here in Mathare. Not one person from the government has come to help us."

The flooding has disproportionately affected low-income neighborhoods due to "less solid structures, congestion, and poor sanitation infrastructure," according to Human Rights Watch. Nahason Igeria, a flood survivor, blamed the state-owned Kenya Railways Corporation, stating,"This was caused by the state national Railways Corporation. They are the ones who built the culvert downstream and the tunnel upstream. It should be their responsibility to maintain the system."

President William Ruto's government has been criticized for its approach to managing the. Human Rights Watch stated that the government failed to act following warnings of enhanced rainfall due to El Nino. The government set aside 10 billion Kenyan shillings ($80m) in preparation for a nationwide response but did not outline a plan of action.

As Cyclone Hidaya approaches, the government has ordered mandatory evacuations for residents living close to 178 dams and water reservoirs in 33 counties. The cyclone is expected to bring "heavy rainfall, large waves, and strong winds that could affect marine activities in the Indian Ocean." Oulie Keita, Greenpeace Africa Executive Director, noted that some of the damage was "further worsened by misinformed preparedness, week, long, island, climate, change,."

The devastating floods in Kenya have claimed 210 lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed critical infrastructure. As Cyclone Hidaya looms, the government faces mounting criticism over its lack of preparedness and inadequate response to the ongoing crisis. With heavy rainfall expected to continue until June, the situation in Kenya remains dire, underscoring the urgent need for effective disaster management and investment in resilient.

Key Takeaways

• 210 deaths, thousands displaced in Kenya due to floods.
• 2,000 schools destroyed, all remaining schools shut down.
• Cyclone Hidaya to hit Kenya and Tanzania, worsening situation.
• Poor infrastructure and lack of investment exacerbated flooding.
• Gov't criticized for inadequate response and preparedness.