Nairobi — Two people have died while hundreds have lost their homes as heavy rains pound Central and North Rift regions.

A nine-year-old girl drowned in River Ndarugu in Njoro on Sunday while 400 families were left homeless when hailstorms destroyed their homes in Koibatek District.

Recently resettled persons who had been camping at Nyakio, Centre and Kangema areas of Timboroa spent Monday night in the cold after flash floods swept away their new homes, and damaged crops.

Nothing to eat

Red Cross officials visited the area and said 399 houses and about 40 acres of farmland were destroyed.

The heavy rains were accompanied by hailstones and strong winds.

Kenya Red Cross South Rift head Moses Atuko said the relief organisation had distributed tents, mosquito nets, soap and a water purifier.

Area assistant chief Edward Waweru said the rains had also destroyed the IDPs' food stocks and they now had nothing to eat.

"I lost everything on my maize farm. I spent the night in the cold like everyone else here after a hailstorm damaged my house," said 76-year old Ms Lucy Muthoni of Nyakio sub-location.

In the drowning incident, nine-year-old Teresia Wairimu, a class three pupil at Township Primary School in Njoro, had been sent to fetch milk with two of her friends when they were swept away by the swollen River Ndarugu.

"The two were rescued with head and neck injuries but Teresia drowned," said Ms Ann Walubengo, a nominated councillor.

An eight-year-old girl had earlier died in similar circumstances.

Divers worked all day on Tuesday to retrieve the body but were hampered by lack of specialised equipment to cope with the strong currents.