The Taveta region in Kenya has been hit hard by heavy rains which have caused flash floods, resulting in the loss of hundreds of livestock. The affected villages include Kimorigo, Msengoni, Lambo, and Marodo in Mata and Mahoo wards. The floods have also destroyed houses and household items, leaving families in dire need of assistance.

The floods are as a result of heavy rains at the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania. This is not an isolated incident, as the Taveta area is prone to flooding every year, and many people, especially in Mata and Kimorigho, are always displaced by floods.

The government and other humanitarian organizations need to put up measures to mitigate flooding in the region. This will not only prevent loss of life but also prevent waterborne diseases outbreak that can arise due to floods.

Furthermore, Taita Taveta County has been experiencing drought for several months, and over 2,071 cattle, 451 sheep, and 265 goats have died due to the lack of water and pasture. The floods have now worsened the situation, leaving over 70,000 people facing hunger.

To prevent future food scarcity challenges, the county and national governments must prioritize rainwater harvesting for future use and gradually educate the public on new sustainable farming methods. Rainwater harvesting will help farmers throughout the season for both crops and livestock during drought. Additionally, the county and national governments should provide fertilizers and educate farmers on sustainable farming.