At least 74 people have been killed and more than 99,000 others displaced as flash floods triggered by heavy downpours struck a number of areas in the East African state of Kenya.

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) said on Friday that 40 people have been killed so far in Rift Valley, 21 in Eastern Kenya, and seven in coastal regions. The agency said the floods have also claimed four lives in Western and two in central Kenya.

"There is possibility of landslide to occur in Nandi (Rift Valley) as the ground can be seen to have cracks," the KRCS said.


It further noted that it was monitoring the situation on the ground, and advising residents to move to safer places.

Flash floods have caused widespread destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of key activities such as farming and education in various areas of Kenya.

The most affected regions by heavy rains are in Western Kenya, Coast Province and parts of Rift Valley, where heavy rains have washed away bridges and rendered many roads blocked.

Volunteers and staff from the National Society have been deployed to flood-hit areas, assisting search and rescue efforts, evacuating villages, conducting assessments and distributing relief items.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called on the international community to help the KRCS and provide USD 3.78 million in the form of financial assistance to the humanitarian agency to help flood-stricken people.

The appeal will fund the provision of food, safe water and other relief items, access to improved sanitation, as well as disease prevention and hygiene promotion.