'It can kill us': Kenyans fear impact of El Niño with floods predicted

'It can kill us': Kenyans fear impact of El Niño with floods predicted

Forecasters warn that this year's El Niño could be one of the strongest on record, with heavy rain and flooding in Kenya.

"It flooded up to here in March," Agnes Shikoli says, pointing to a spot halfway up the six-foot [1.8m] corrugated iron wall of her home in Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in Kenya.

Her tiny house lies just a couple of metres from the Ngong river, which runs through this densely populated area in the capital, Nairobi.

The scars of floods in the long rainy season earlier this year can still be seen - including a broken TV in the corner which was immersed in water.

Tucked out of sight is a photo of her sister Beatrice Khalayi, 58, who died when intense rains caused widespread destruction in Kibera. She was among more than 60 people across the country who lost their lives.

"Someone called me to tell me that she had died of electrocution after her house flooded," Shikoli recalls. "When I see a picture of her, I feel uneasy, that's why I keep it far from me, so I don't see it."

With Kenya's short rainy season now starting, Shikoli tells the BBC she is afraid – especially following warnings that the El Niño weather phenomenon could bring a new round of flooding.

"I feel like it can kill us. These houses aren't made of stone," says the 62-year-old.

In brief

"It flooded up to here in March," Agnes Shikoli says, pointing to a spot halfway up the six-foot [1.8m] corrugated iron wall of her home in Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in Kenya. "Someone called me to tell me that she had died of electrocution after her house flooded," Shikoli recalls. With Kenya's short rainy season now starting, Shikoli tells the BBC she is afraid – especially following warnings that the El Niño weather phenomenon could bring a new round of flooding.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC News - World. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC News - World ↗

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