Taita Taveta: Scores Trapped As Floods Sweep Through Homes After Voi River Bursts Its Banks

• Voi River burst its bank leaving several families stranded as the rising waters swept their homes and property
• Kenya Red Cross confirmed their presence at the site, conducting search and rescue operations for families marooned by the rising waters
• In Migori county, five people were rescued by community divers after a boat they were travelling in capsized

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Taita Taveta- The Kenya Red Cross has launched a rescue mission after the Voi River burst its bank, trapping several homes.

The society confirmed that the Monday morning incident flooded several villages within the town, leaving families stranded and helpless.

"Voi River burst its banks this morning, causing flooding in villages within Voi town. The Kenya Red Cross is on-site, conducting search and rescue operations for families marooned by the rising waters," affirmed the society.

Boat capsizes in Migori, 5 people rescued

In other flood-related events, a boat ferrying six people capsized at the River Migori in Matanda on Monday, December 4.

The Kenya Red Cross reported that five of the travellers were rescued by community divers, and one person remains missing.

"Early this morning, a boat capsized at the River Migori in Matanda. Thanks to the quick response and support from the community, five individuals were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, one person remains missing," read a communication in part.

The society and county government of Migori have mobilised extra divers to expedite the search and retrieval process for the missing person.

El Nino rains continue to wreak havoc

Heavy rainfall experienced in the country has caused havoc in the country, displacing thousands of families and deaths and causing massive disruption to the environment.

As of mid-November this year, Kenya Red Cross Society secretary-general Ahmed Idris said the latest statistics from the Kenya National Disaster Operations Centre estimate the total displaced population at about 94,000 households in the country.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, however, attributed the surge in El Nino deaths to Kenyans' wilful actions.

"Out of the 87 deaths that have occurred due to El Nino, 37 of them are by drowning not by floods getting into your house but by you going where the floods are. Kenyans are crossing rivers when they can see the waters are rough. Kenyans, with their daring nature, are always in a hurry to go somewhere and, unfortunately, never get there. They later call on the government to intervene," he said.