NAIROBI, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 (CISA)-The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has appealed to Christians, partners and people of goodwill to support emergency response initiatives to the flooding in the parts of the country.
“We kindly request you to support this initiative by donating funds, food and non-food items to save the lives of the affected population,” reads a statement dated November 26, 2019 signed by Chairman of KCCB, Bishop Philip Anyolo and Caritas President, Archbishop Martin Kivuva.
Donations are to be channelled through parishes, Diocesan and National offices, and other church institutions under the coordination of Caritas Kenya, the development and humanitarian arm of the Church.
According to reports from Dioceses, the Kenya Metrological Department, Humanitarian Agencies and media, the areas affected by flooding include; Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Turkana, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Kitui, Meru, Kajiado, Nandi, Kwale, Garissa, Murang’a and Busia Counties.
“Several weeks of heavy rainfall have triggered deadly floods, mudslides, lightning strikes and hailstones that have affected thousands of people in Kenya,” reads the statement.
In the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, floods have displaced over 8,000 people, swept away thousands of livestock and further destroyed property worth KSh 10,000,000 (100,000 USD) belonging to St Teresa Pastoral Centre.
“The floods have further damaged agricultural lands and the extent of the damage is expected to increase once floods have receded. Power and telecommunications are also reported to be down in some locations,” the statement said.
In the diocese of Kitale, atleast 29 people died as a result of severe weather affecting the villages of Nyarkulian and Parua in West Pokot County, in addition 17 people died in a mudslide in the village of Takmal in the Pokot Central District while 12 others lost their lives in mudslides.
“The road network in the Diocese has also been severely affected, more than 300 vehicles are stuck on the Kitale-Lodwar highway as the key bridges at Sebit and Ortum have been washed away. These figures provide a snapshot of the effects of heavy rainfall in the affected countries and experts have predicted more heavy rain and flooding in Kenya following the temperature rise in the Indian Ocean,” the statement says.
Donations can be directed to Kenya Commercial Bank, A/C Name: KEC-Catholic Charity Emergency Fund, A/C NO: 1106770662, BRANCH: Sarit Centre
Or M-PESA PAY BILL:
Business Number: 560702
Account Number: 560702
