Heavy rains, landslides kill 100 in Kenya

Hiribae Mame stood waist- deep in water outside her wrecked house in eastern Kenya , one of around 200, 000 people forced to flee by weeks of floods , landslides, and heavy rains .

Kenya ’ s Red Cross estimates at least 100 have also died in the downpours since early April , a humanitarian disaster that it says needs emergency funding .

“ I have lost 12 chicken and four goats. We were not able to save all of them and I can’ t access the house because the door can’ t open , ” said the mother -of -four in the town of Tana River in lower Coast region .

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Her youngest daughter clung to her neck , the girl ’ s feet just touching the water. Mattresses and wreckage floated by as handmade boats ferried people , animals, and goods to a safer ground.

Floods have blocked major roads across central and northern Kenya and coastal areas – the route from the capital Nairobi to the main port Mombasa was under water as on Friday.

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Eight people were killed when mudslides destroyed their homes as they slept in the hilly central region of Murang ’ a on Friday night , said Kenya Red Cross Secretary -General Abbas Gullet.

Gullet said the military and police had deployed helicopters for rescue missions but more efforts were needed.

He said outbreaks of water-borne diseases were another concern across Kenya .

“ We would urge the national government to declare this a national disaster , so that deliberate effort can be made and resources mobilised to help the affected people, ” Gullet told reporters in the capital on Sunday.

“ We need a national disaster management fund set up. ”

( Reuters/NAN )

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