Tourists were evacuated by air from Kenya's Maasai Mara national reserve on Wednesday after heavy rains caused flooding in the area. More than a dozen hotels, lodges, and camps were submerged as a river within the Maasai Mara broke its banks. The reserve, located in southwestern Kenya, is renowned for the annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
The Kenya Red Cross conducted the rescue operation, saving over 90 individuals. The Narok County government dispatched two helicopters to assist in evacuating people from the vast conservation area. Since the onset of the rainy season in mid-March, over 170 fatalities have been reported across Kenya due to flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Meteorology Department has issued warnings of further rainfall expected this week.
In Nairobi, the capital city, three major roads were temporarily shut down due to flooding. The Kenya Red Cross also rescued 11 individuals from Kitengela, a residential area on the outskirts of Nairobi, where homes were inundated overnight.
Tragedy struck in the Mai Mahiu area of western Kenya on Monday when a river breached a blocked tunnel, resulting in the destruction of houses and roads. This incident claimed the lives of 48 people, with more than 80 individuals still unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the affected region, with President William Ruto ordering military involvement in the efforts.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the slow pace of rescue operations, citing a lack of proper equipment to clear debris effectively. The government has advised individuals residing in flood-prone areas to evacuate voluntarily or face compulsory relocation as water levels in two major hydroelectric dams reach unprecedented heights.
