A sudden and powerful storm battered Kisumu on Thursday evening, October 8, toppling trees onto vehicles, bringing down billboards and walls, and severing power lines across the city.
The destruction unfolded without warning, catching residents in the open as the sky darkened rapidly.
One resident described the onset as shocking .
“The rain started heavily, accompanied by hailstones. Then the wind swept things away and started knocking down billboards. It really took us by surprise. I didn’t even have a jacket on; I was startled and had to put one on because it was bitterly cold.”
Another one recounted being indoors when the storm hit.
“I was startled when I heard it, I heard a sudden, loud impact that shocked everyone inside. Everyone just ran for cover. It really shook us up.”
The value of damaged property has not yet been established.
Kisumu County Response
Following an inspection of the affected areas, Fred Mariwa, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s adviser on urban planning and the acting city manager for Kisumu County, said multiple agencies were working together to restore the city.
He confirmed that drainage pipes and sewage channels were being cleared to reduce the risk of flooding.
“KeNHA is working on unclogging some of these corridors that belong to KeNHA. KURA also the same. But as a city also, we are working on unclogging various drainages within the city,” Mariwa said.
Video; courtesy
The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier forecast the start of the rainy season in the western region in the next 24 hours from Thursday evening, with rainfall expected to intensify in connection with the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Rainfall and Wind Warnings Across Kenya
Beyond Kisumu, the weatherman’s forecast covered more than 20 counties.
Rainfall would be expected across western, Rift Valley, central, northern and coastal regions. Some parts of West Pokot, Siaya, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Kisii, Homabay, Kisumu, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Meru, Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu counties would experience rains.
The department’s forecast maps indicatd light to moderate rainfall in most areas, with the heaviest accumulations anticipated in the western Lake Victoria basin, the Rift Valley highlands and the central highlands around Mount Kenya. Rain is also forecast to extend to parts of the coast and out over the Indian Ocean.
Separately, the department flagged a danger for the northern counties, warning of strong southerly to southeasterly winds of above 25 knots (12.5m/s) expected over parts of Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit Counties.
