Heavy rains destroy homes and livestock in Turkana and Tana River counties

Flash floods have razed over 100 houses in Turkana and swept away more than 200 livestock in Tana River, leaving families homeless and transport disrupted.

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Heavy rains this weekend have destroyed more than 100 houses in Turkana County, leaving families without shelter.

In Tana River County, floodwaters swept through Kote village, carrying away household belongings and killing livestock, with over 200 head reported lost.

Residents such as Abdinoor Hassan said they owned over 300 livestock but only managed to rescue about two dozen goats.

The floods also destroyed food, clothing, cooking utensils and other possessions, prompting families to appeal for assistance.

Roads in the affected areas have become impassable, exposing travellers to fast‑moving water and halting movement.

The disruption extended to the transport of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers, when police officers carrying the documents were stranded for over an hour on flooded roads.

Seasonal outlook and meteorological background

The damage coincides with the October‑December short rains season, which forecasters expect to bring above‑average rainfall to several regions.

In its November forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department projected above‑average rainfall for Tana River County and near‑average to above‑average rainfall for parts of Turkana.

The department identified the El Niño‑Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole as key drivers influencing the intensity and distribution of the season’s rains.