Health Expert Advises Kenyans On What To Have In Houses During Flooding Season: "ORS"

• Floods have killed at least 35 people and destroyed unquantifiable amounts of property in most parts across the country
• The floods that have displaced thousands of Kenyans are a result of heavy rains that have been pounding most parts of Kenya since the Easter holiday
• A Kenyan health expert shared some precautionary tips to help save lives during the flooding season

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

Heavy rains have been pounding most parts of Kenya since the Easter holiday in 2024.

How many Kenyans have been killed by floods?

The heavy rainfall has resulted in floods that have caused property of unquantifiable value and over 30 deaths across the country.

The residents of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area have not been spared from the floods that have exposed poor drainage and infrastructure systems across Machakos, Nairobi, and Kajiado counties.

In Homa Bay County, over 600 residents have been displaced by raging waters overflowing from Rivers Sondu Miriu and Tende.

Several roads in Nairobi have been rendered impassable or risky to navigate, especially shortly after heavy downpours.

Flooding along Thika Road

Thika Road has not been spared from the crisis, with the stretch around Githurai being the most flooded as rainwater finds its course.

Numerous city residents in slums and areas like Mirema have reported rainwater flowing into their houses, rendering them inhabitable.

Areas with unplanned construction that overlooked construction or drainage systems, or at least staying away from water courses, have been adversely affected as the waters swept through houses.

Citizen TV, citing the Kenya Red Cross Society, reported that the floods across the country have caused 35 deaths.

With the weatherman predicting more rain, a health expert has shared some precautions Kenyans should take to keep themselves safe during the season.

Dr Moses Kihuga, a diagnostic medicine practitioner, asked individuals in flooded areas not to remove their shoes when wading through water.

There was a bizarre incident where a Kenyan was captured on camera walking on his hands to avoid dirtying his white sneakers.

"Don't remove your shoes to wade in the water. Let them soak because you will find another pair to change to. The shoe is supposed to protect you from what you can't see under that water. If you can get access to waterproof boots, that would be better," Kihuga said.

He observed that flood waters are contaminated with sewer contents and other harmful components.

Kihuga advised city dwellers to ensure sufficient safe drinking water in their houses.

"Chances are that water from the taps will be contaminated and it's wise to treat it before consumption. Boiling is the most accessible treatment option," added Kihuga.

Waterborne diseases in Kenya

The health expert said cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases would likely increase this season and advised Kenyans to consider having Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) in their houses just in case of infection.

"Cholera and typhoid cases might start to rise. Make sure you have something like ORS in the house so that you can replenish electrolytes in case of diarrhoea before you get to the hospital," he explained.

Kihuga also warned of a spike in mosquito-borne diseases due to the conducive breeding environment.

What are mosquito-borne diseases?

"Mosquito-borne diseases might spike. Sleep under nets. Especially now that we have Anophelese Stephensi," said Kihuga.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Anopheles Stephensi is a mosquito species capable of transmitting both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria parasites.

A publication in the Malaria Journal reported increasing cases of the Anopheles Stephensi, an originally Asian malaria mosquito, invading and spreading into East Africa.

The medic also advised Kenyans to take medically recommended concoctions for respiratory infections, which would likely increase during the flooding season.

Floods have cut off some Nairobi residents from accessing their houses, prompting the intervention of county and national government rescue teams.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Oral Rehydration Salts packets (l) and flooded Nairobi slums

Health Expert Advises Kenyans on What to Have in Houses During Flooding

Kenya: Severe flooding kills nearly 200 people and displaces 100,000