A. Situation analysis
Heavy rains were recorded in many parts of the country from the onset of the October - November - December 2015 rainy season. The rains were driven by the El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean and the distribution closely matches the El Niño forecasts that had been given by Kenya Meteorological Services (KMS) and the IGAD Climate Predictions and Application Centre, in the second and third quarters of 2015. More flooding was experienced at the end of 2015 and beginning of 2016 in Western Kenya (due to overflow of rivers (Nyando and Nzoia), and in the areas of Garissa, Tana River and Kilifi counties. This was mainly due to heavy downpour in the Mount Kenya Region, which forms the catchment zone for the River Tana. As a result of the rains from 10 December 2015, flooding (caused by rivers bursting their banks in Garissa, Tana River, Migori, Busia, Homa Bay among other counties), flash floods mainly in urban areas (Narok), landslides/mudslides (in Mt. Elgon, Kisii, West Pokot and Narok) road traffic accidents (mainly sweeping of motor vehicles by raging floods in Turkana, Homa bay, Nairobi) and lightning strikes(Kisii), which led to loss of human life (112 deaths) and 73 recorded injuries. In total, 40,121 households (HHs) (approximately 240,726 people) were affected, and a total of 17,254HHs (approximately 103,524 people) were displaced at the initial stages of the floods. It was also reported that 4,100 heads of cattle had been washed away by the flood waters, further exposing the already displaced families in terms of loss of livelihoods and House Hold (HH) income. In Tana River County, a total of 67 IDP camps were established, hosting 7788 HHs. Other effects of the rains countrywide include varied damage to at least 16 schools, destruction of farmlands in Mt. Elgon, Kirinyaga, Narok, Busia, Kisumu, Tana River, Trans Nzoia, Busia, and Bungoma counties, loss of thousands of heads of livestock (as animals incl. cattle, goats, donkeys were swept away), further affecting the livelihoods of already displaced populations. Infrastructural damages have also been reported (damage to roads and bridges) in parts of Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Nandi and Machakos counties. Further high levels of rainfall experienced in the Kenyan highlands resulted to subsequent overflow of the River Tana, causing its banks to break. This resulted into flooding in areas along the river lines. The October - December heavy rains caused the displacement of populations in Chewele, Wedesa, Nanighi sub locations in Bura Division, Asako, Pamba, Buwa, Korati, Ziwani and Sala Sub location in Madogo Division. A total population of 46,728 (7,788 households) were affected leading to formation of 56 camps.
The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and Governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic and Zurich Foundations and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the Kenya Red Cross Society would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.