NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Flooding and heavy rains in Kenya have killed at least 70 people since mid-March, a government spokesperson said Friday, twice as many as were reported earlier this week.
The East African country has seen weeks of heavy rains and severe flooding in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, as well as in the country's western and central regions.
Kenya's government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Friday refuted claims that hundreds of people have died in the ongoing flooding and said the official tally now stands at 70.
Five bodies were retrieved Friday from a river in Makueni county, east of the country, after a lorry they were traveling in was swept off a submerged bridge, local station Citizen TV reported. Another 11 were rescued.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Friday at a news briefing that the government had set aside 4 billion Kenya shillings ($29 million) for emergency relief efforts, but did not provide further details.
More than 130,000 people are currently affected with thousands of houses washed away and others flooded. Some 64 public schools in the capital were flooded and had to shut down. Roads and bridges have been damaged or destroyed.
The Kenya Meteorological Department on Friday issued a heavy rainfall advisory for the weekend and urged residents to be vigilant.
Other East African countries have reported flooding with 155 people reported to have died in neighboring Tanzania and more than 200,000 people affected in Burundi.
Follow AP’s climate coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Residents rescue a woman who was caught during heavy rain in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2024. Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to dozens of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, according to the U.N., citing the Red Cross. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
A displaced woman sits on a couch outside her flooded house, after heavy rain in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to dozens of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, according to the U.N., citing the Red Cross. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A partially submerged house is seen in Machakos county, Kenya Monday, April 22, 2024. Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to the deaths of at least 13 people and displaced some 15,000, the United Nations said, as forecasters warned more rains can be expected until June. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Kenyan Red Cross personnel and volunteers conduct search and rescue missions, around houses submerged by flood water in Machakos county, Kenya Monday, April 22, 2024. Heavy rains pounding different parts of Kenya have led to the deaths of at least 13 people and displaced some 15,000, the United Nations said, as forecasters warned more rains can be expected until June. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
TORONTO (AP) — Rookie Malachi Jones and Andrés Perea scored second-half goals and Matt Freese made nine saves as New York City FC held on for a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday night with a brawl taking place after the final whistle.
A melee ensued after the match involving players from both sides. Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson, a former New York player, was in the middle of it — seemingly trying to play peacekeeper.
Santiago Rodríguez staked New York City (5-5-2) to a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick in the 25th minute. Rodríguez scored for a fourth time this season — sending a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner of the net following a hand-ball foul on Toronto midfielder Matty Longstaff.
NYCFC took a 2-0 lead into halftime on Jones' first career goal. Fellow rookie Hannes Wolf picked up an assist when Jones — a 20-year-old forward — scored in the 44th minute.
Toronto (6-5-1) pulled within a score early in the second half on an unassisted goal by Federico Bernardeschi in the 55th minute. Bernardeschi scored his first two goals of the season last week in a 3-1 victory over FC Dallas.
NYCFC regained a two-goal lead in the 78th minute on Perea's first score of the season. Wolf and rookie Agustín Ojeda notched assists. Ojeda's helper was the first of his career and Wolf's was his third in his first season.
Toronto again pulled within a goal when defender Raoul Petretta found the net for the first time in his career — in the 89th minute — with an assist from Longstaff.
Bernardeschi was tagged with a second yellow card two minutes after Petretta's goal, forcing Toronto to play a man down through stoppage time. Bernardeschi and Kevin Long will miss the next match — Long for yellow-card accumulation.
Freese finished one save shy of matching his career high.
Johnson turned away one shot for Toronto.
Toronto saw a three-match win streak come to an end under first-year manager John Herdman. Toronto has gone from the worst team in the league last season to third place in the Eastern Conference at the beginning of the day. The club already has 19 points this season after finishing the 2023 campaign with 22.
Lorenzo Insigne saw his first action for Toronto since March 23. Insigne, who had not played since he suffered a thigh injury in a 2-0 win over Atlanta United, subbed in for Derrick Etienne Jr. in the 76th minute and missed his only shot.
NYCFC beat Toronto 2-1 at home earlier this season, earning the first victory for first-year manager Nick Cushing by handing Toronto its first loss.
NYCFC leads the all-time series 11-9-7. NYCFC has won the last four in the matchup by a combined 13-3 score.
New York City stays on the road to play the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Toronto travels to play Nashville SC on Wednesday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport
Toronto FC's Nicksoen Gomis kicks the ball past New York City FC midfielder Hannes Wolf (17) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC midfielder Deybi Flores (20) and New York City FC midfielder Andrés Perea (8) vie for control of the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) forces New York City FC midfielder James Sands (6) to the turf during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC defender Sigurd Rosted (17) falls over New York City FC forward Malachi Jones (88) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC forward Federico Bernardeschi (10) celebrates his goal against NYC FC with midfielder Matty Longstaff (8) and forward Latif Blessing (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC forward Federico Bernardeschi (10) celebrates his goals against NYC FC with midfielder Matty Longstaff (8) and forward Latif Blessing (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)z
Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne (24) moves toward the ball in front of New York City FC defender Thiago Martins (13) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC coach John Herdman, left, has words with the with officials after the team's MLS soccer match against New York City FC on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC forward Prince Osei Owusu (99) is restrained by team staff members after the team's MLS soccer match against New York City FC on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC coach John Herdman thanks the fans after the team's MLS soccer match against New York City FC on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto FC forward Prince Osei Owusu (99) is restrained by team staff members after the team's MLS soccer match against New York City FC on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
