By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Kenyan police on Friday confirmed the deaths of eight people who were swept away by raging floodwaters while attempting to cross a river in the south-eastern region on a floating log.
Eight people drowned on Thursday while attempting to cross the raging Muooni River in Makueni County after attending the 14th Anniversary celebration of the Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) at Kasarani Stadium, which was graced by Kenya's first lady, Rachel Ruto, a senior police official said.
The area police chief Norman Musyoki told reporters that the deceased were part of a larger group.
"They were sitting on a log floating in the middle of the river after being overwhelmed by the raging waters... as they tried to cross, a sudden swelling of the river swept them away as a crowd of witnesses looked on helplessly," Musyoki said.
Red Cross officials in Makueni County also confirmed the reports, warning residents to be cautious when crossing the river, which claimed three lives earlier this month.
The East African region has been grappling with the devastating impact of El Nino rains, which have wreaked havoc across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
The three countries have borne the brunt of the relentless downpours, resulting in loss of life, infrastructure destruction, and widespread displacement.
According to the Red Cross, the death toll in Kenya from floods has exceeded 70 since October first week.
El Nino is a climatic phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures, these include shifts in rainfall patterns, increased likelihood of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, and disruptions to ecosystems worldwide.