• 179 lives have been lost in floods and landslides since March, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
• The disaster has destroyed homes, roads, bridges, and infrastructure.
• Pope Francis expressed sympathy for the disaster during a general audience at the Vatican.

Floods and landslides across Kenya have claimed 179 lives since March, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes, according to the government’s announcement on Wednesday. Additionally, dozens more lost their lives in neighboring Tanzania and Burundi.

Torrential rain and floods have wreaked havoc across the region, destroying homes, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The death toll in Kenya surpasses that from flooding triggered by the El Nino weather phenomenon late last year. Last year’s rains followed the worst drought in large parts of East Africa in decades.

In Kitengela, located 33 km (20 miles) from Nairobi, Kenya Red Cross workers were aiding in the rescue of residents whose homes had been marooned by floodwaters. Additionally, the Kenya Red Cross stated that they were endeavoring to rescue tourists trapped at camps in Narok, situated 215 km from Nairobi.

Nairobi’s highways authority announced the closure of a section of a highway leading to the city and at least three other roads across the country due to flooding and debris. The disaster elicited sympathy from Pope Francis, who addressed Kenyans during a general audience on Wednesday at the Vatican.

“I … wish to express to the people of Kenya my spiritual closeness at this time as severe flooding has tragically taken the lives of many of our brothers and sisters, injured others, and caused widespread destruction,” he said.

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