By HAN News Desk
GARISSA — Heavy rains that fell on Thursday across areas under Balanbala District in Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, have caused severe flooding, resulting in significant losses for pastoralist communities. Many residents have lost livestock and homes as floodwaters swept through their villages.
Shimbireey, a locality under Sankuri in Balanbala, has been among the hardest hit. Local residents report that floodwaters destroyed homes, washed away supplies, and forced families to flee for safety.
Deeqow Kuusow Mohamed, one of the affected pastoralists, told BBC that he lost 100 sheep and was forced to carry his children to safety as floodwaters inundated his home. “In a place called Guutooy in Shimbireey, water came rushing in for about nine hours. I could not save the sheep; I only managed to take my children with me. All our food, clothes, and livestock were swept away. I had to leave the area to save ourselves. It was only by God’s mercy that we survived,” he said.
The total number of people affected by the floods in Balanbala is not yet clear, as many areas remain inaccessible. However, the impact on livestock is already severe, threatening the livelihoods of pastoralist communities who rely on their herds for income, food, and social security.
Former Balanbala county assembly member, Cabdiwahaab Sulaymaan Baraki, told BBC that his relative, Buurow Colow, lost nearly 240 sheep from a herd of 270 due to the floods, leaving him with only 30 animals. Such losses represent a devastating blow to families who depend heavily on livestock for survival.
Humanitarian organizations have called for urgent relief efforts, including food, clean water, and temporary shelter for families displaced by the floods. Local authorities warn that without immediate assistance, vulnerable communities may face prolonged hardship as floodwaters recede and livestock losses worsen.
The floods in Balanbala underscore the broader challenges facing northeastern Kenya, where seasonal rains can rapidly turn into destructive flash floods, particularly in pastoralist regions with limited infrastructure and emergency support.
