A senior civil servant says at least 36 people have lost their lives and over 2,000 families have been displaced in three weeks of flooding in Kenya.

Andrew Mondoh, the second-in-command at the Special Programs Ministry, said on Thursday that heavy rains have led to “the loss of 36 lives… property and infrastructure” and the flooding has displaced “2,393 households”.

“The government is currently distributing food and non-food items (among the flood-affected people),” Mondoh added.

“Several parts of the country especially the coast and Western Kenya regions have been affected by flooding, following an increased heavy downpour countrywide,” the Kenya Red Cross Society said in statement on Wednesday.

At least 14 people were wounded and six others were missing, the statement added.

“Most of the rainfall in the country is expected during the peak month of April except over the coastal strip where the peak is expected during the month of May.” the Kenya Meteorological Department said earlier this week.

“Generally enhanced rainfall is expected over the western highlands, Lake Basin, the central Rift Valley, and the central highlands including Nairobi in March and April. It is, however, expected to be generally depressed in May,” it added.