The Aftermath of the Kenyan Floods; The rise of waterborne diseases
Rescue mission within the slum areas post floods. Image credits: BBC Africa
In recent months, Kenya has faced an unprecedented natural disaster severely affecting its population and infrastructure. Persistent heavy rains have led to widespread flooding across the country, causing tragic loss of life and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. As of May 9th, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) reported that these floods have resulted in the deaths of 267 individuals, with 188 people injured and 75 still missing. The devastating floods displaced approximately 281,835 individuals (56,367 families) and affected nearly 380,573 people (76,114 families). This catastrophe impacted communities and severely disrupted essential services, particularly access to clean drinking water.
The floods have negatively impacted water infrastructure across Kenya. According to reports from AMREF, a staggering 1,465 water sources across 11 counties have been contaminated or destroyed, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. This disaster has presented a profound challenge to Maji Zima, given that our mission is to provide clean and safe drinking water to underserved communities, that were the worst hit.
One of the most heartbreaking examples of the floods’ impact is the plight of one of our beneficiaries, a rescue centre in Ruiru Young Life Children’s Home. The home’s well was submerged for an entire month, forcing the home to find alternative water sources and causing significant hardship. The disruption to their lives was immense, and the loss of access to clean water added an extra layer of vulnerability to an already dire situation. These children, like many others across the affected regions, were left without one of life’s necessities—safe drinking water.
At Maji Zima, our immediate priority has been to assess the damage and respond swiftly to restore access to clean water. The scale of the destruction has been overwhelming, but our commitment to the communities we serve remains unwavering. We are working on reaching out to communities in most affected areas to settle on the best ways to help them gain access to safe drinking water either by providing the family filter or the MS-MZ water filters to schools and community centres.
Our first step in the aftermath of the floods was to conduct rapid assessments of the affected areas. We quickly mobilised teams to evaluate the condition of water sources and identify the most urgent needs. In many cases, we found that water points had been contaminated with floodwater, making them unsafe for consumption. The flooding also caused physical damage to infrastructure, such as the submersion of wells and the destruction of piping systems.
In Ruiru, one of our key project locations, a well that we had installed was completely submerged. This well had been a critical source of clean water for the local community, and its loss was a significant setback. However, we are already working on plans to rehabilitate the well and restore its functionality as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are working on water testing the water in all affected areas to ascertain the extent of the damage caused by floods before settling on a suitable course of action.
While our immediate response is focused on providing relief, we are also looking ahead to the long-term challenges of rebuilding and strengthening resilience. The floods have highlighted the vulnerabilities in Kenya’s water infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Moving forward, our goal is not just to restore what was lost, but to build back better—ensuring that the communities we serve are more resilient to future disasters.
We are also working with local communities to improve water management practices. This includes training on water conservation, the use of rainwater harvesting systems, and the importance of maintaining clean water sources. By empowering communities with knowledge and resources, we aim to reduce their vulnerability to future floods and other natural disasters.
Conclusion
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but it is also an opportunity to strengthen our work and deepen our impact. The floods have brought immense suffering, but they have also galvanised our resolve to ensure that every person in Kenya has access to safe and clean drinking water. Your continued support is vital as we navigate these challenges. Whether through donations, partnerships, or advocacy, your involvement makes a real difference in the lives of those affected by the floods. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have already received, and we invite you to join us as we continue our efforts to bring relief and rebuild.
The floods in Kenya have been a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the critical importance of access to safe drinking water. At Maji Zima, we are committed to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that even in the face of disaster, communities have the resources they need to survive and thrive. We thank you for standing with us during this difficult time. Together, we can make a difference—one drop at a time.
