A Kenyan ministry team flew with MAF to the north of the country to assess the situation in isolated communities after devastating rainfall.
MAF flights took a group from Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) to Kenya’s Marsabit region as part of efforts to respond to the flooding disaster.
The team flew from Wilson Airport in Nairobi on Friday, May 10 when an MAF Cessna Caravan, piloted by David Graf, carried out a survey flight over flooded communities.
For truck owners like me, what used to be a swift journey across the Chalbi Desert now spans three to four days.
They spent the weekend visiting Mataarba, Gororukesa and Dadach Kambi before returning on another MAF Disaster Response flight on Monday, May 13.
Paul Kimanthi, the Finance and Administration Officer at CITAM, said the flights with MAF were crucial in helping the team reach the far-flung county especially because the flooding situation in the country has impacted some roads negatively.
Paul said, “Our team successfully visited three key areas namely Mataarba, Gororukesa and Dadach Kambi where our ministry is ongoing.”
“Regarding the flooding in the northeastern region, he noted, “Fortunately during our visits to the locations, we did not experience any flooding and the people residing on higher ground, remained unaffected as the rainwater naturally flowed downhill.”
“However, the roads have been badly damaged, and we are trusting that the county government will move with speed to repair the damaged roads and bridges that need urgent attention.”
Their findings support the observations from the survey flight that, although communities on higher ground were doing well, the routes that link them were badly damaged by the flash floods.
MAF’s survey flight over Marsabit County to assess the flooding's impact found that the valleys have become virtually impassible due to submerged roads. Accessing essential services and supplies like food presents a significant challenge. Residents are raising concerns about the increased prices of food resulting from the flooding.
From our aerial view, the Chalbi Desert appears waterlogged, with water covering the once-passable routes connecting various areas.
Mr Noor, a longtime fuel supplier for MAF in Marsabit, lamented the situation, stating, "For truck owners like me, what used to be a swift journey across the Chalbi Desert now spans three to four days.”
“The relentless rains have severed a major road near North Horr, severely hindering movement to and from the region, leaving individuals unable to travel as freely as before.”