Kenya is grappling with intensifying floods after two major rivers burst their banks, killing at least 88 people and displacing tens of thousands across the country. What began as seasonal rains has escalated into a nationwide emergency, exposing the vulnerability of communities living along riverbanks and in low-lying settlements.

Authorities say at least 21 of Kenya’s 47 counties have been hit, with more than 34,000 people forced from their homes. The Interior Ministry reports that families have been uprooted overnight as rising waters swept through villages, farms and urban neighborhoods, destroying homes, crops and vital infrastructure.

In western Kenya, the Nyando River overflowed, submerging sections of the Ahero Bridge on the Kericho–Awasi–Kisumu road and cutting a key transport artery that links farming areas to Kisumu, a major lakeside city. Motorists have been warned to avoid the flooded route, especially at night, as swift currents and poor visibility make travel perilous.

Rescue operations led by the Kenya Red Cross Society and government agencies have intensified. In the Nyando area alone, more than 200 people and over 200 head of livestock have been evacuated, with at least two families pulled from immediate danger as waters rose around their homes. Authorities are also working to move more than 900 students from Ahero Girls National School to safer ground.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration says at least 265 households in the Nyando basin have been directly affected. Displaced residents are being housed in public buildings, including government offices, churches and health centers. Among those rescued are six unaccompanied children, now under the care of child protection services.

Further east, in Tana River County, the River Tana has burst its banks, inundating farms in Mbalambala and nearby villages such as Asako. Local officials warn that the flooding threatens food production in an area heavily dependent on riverine agriculture and livestock.

In Uasin Gishu County, a multi-agency team is assessing damage along the Sosiani River in Lower Elgon View, where homes and hospitality facilities have been flooded. Across Kenya, roads have become impassable, schools have been closed and businesses shuttered, particularly in informal settlements that lack proper drainage.

While Kenya experiences flooding most years, the scale of the current crisis has renewed scrutiny of disaster preparedness, land-use planning and early-warning systems. Officials are urging residents in high-risk zones to heed evacuation orders and remain alert, warning that more evacuations may be necessary if heavy rains persist.