The government said on Wednesday that the current El Nino floods in the nation had claimed the lives of five more individuals in the last day, bringing the total number of fatalities to 165.

Speaking to the media from Lamu County, government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura stated that Taita Taveta, Migori, and Meru are the three counties that are now most impacted.

Dr. Mwaura did point out that the counties of Lamu and Tana River are also projected to see significant rainfall, so they will probably join the other three counties in the red zone.

He continued by saying that 539,215 people from 107,843 homes had been displaced by the floods, and as a result, the government had established 11 more camps in Tana River (5), Kilifi (4), and Lamu (2) to shelter them.

The floods in Lamu have devastated four roads, eighty-two acres of fields, twenty-three homesteads, three bridges, three schools, and a chief’s office, according to the government spokesperson.

“Ongoing rescue operations have saved lives, including the recent rescue of 5 police officers from Sailon Village and the relocation of 80 individuals from Hewani and Kulesa village,” he said.

“However, key roads remain impassable, affecting accessibility to the affected areas and hindering relief efforts.”

Dr. Mwaura added that 1,770 acres of farmlands are submerged in the Hindi ward; 2,100 acres more are destroyed in the Bahari ward; 5,400 acres more are destroyed in the Mkunumbi ward; 6,382 acres are marooned in the Hongwe ward; 26,731 acres destroyed in the Witu ward; and 495 acres destroyed in the Basuba ward.

“Food deliveries, relocation efforts to higher ground in Moa area of Lamu, distribution of essential food items, water treatment supplies, medical drugs, and veterinary support are among the crucial interventions being undertaken to alleviate the suffering of affected communities. Cholera kits have also been delivered to Lamu, Kilifi and Mombasa Counties to help control the disease,” he said.