Kenya's famous Maasai Mara nature reserve has been hit by catastrophic flooding, leaving staff and visitors stranded and buildings submerged. The death toll in the country's southwest has risen to at least 188 people due to the severe flooding.
Local authorities were forced to close some tourist facilities in the National Reserve after River Talek, a tributary of the Mara River, burst its banks and swept through more than a dozen riverside tourist lodges and camps. Videos circulating on social media showed buildings and vehicles fully submerged inside the park as tourists hurried to evacuate affected areas.
Weeks of heavy rain and flash flooding have ravaged parts of Kenya, with dozens of people missing around the capital, Nairobi, and a devastating mudslide in the town of Mai Mahiu. The death toll in Mai Mahiu has reached 50, with two more bodies recently recovered.
In response to the flooding in Maasai Mara, camp owners were instructed to vacate affected properties and move to higher ground away from River Talek. Local administrators issued warnings of legal consequences for those who remained, even going as far as accusing them of attempting suicide.
Authorities deployed helicopters to rescue stranded tourists and local staff around the national reserve after receiving distress calls. The flooding was attributed to swollen rivers following continuous rainfall in the region.
A tour guide recounted being awakened by rushing water in the early hours of the morning, with floodwaters rising rapidly. The Kenya Red Cross reported rescuing over 90 people, and multiple camps around River Talek had to be closed.
The country has mobilized resources, including corps from the National Youth Service, to assist in search and rescue operations in Narok. The Horn of Africa region, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi, has been heavily impacted by the ongoing heavy rains.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) highlighted the urgent need for preparedness and response to climate change-related disasters. Human Rights Watch emphasized the importance of providing support to affected communities and protecting populations at high risk.
