Editor's Review

One child has died and four others seriously injured in Kilifi County after cyclone IALY hit the Kenyan coast.

One child has died and four others seriously injured in Kilifi County after being hit by a flying iron sheet, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro has confirmed.

Speaking on Tuesday, May 21, the county boss stated the incident was as a result of the IALY cyclone which is currently hitting the coastal region.

"We have had an accident, some electricity poles have fallen. But in one ECDE centre in Mariakani, iron sheet came off the roof and killed one child. Four others are seriously injured," Mung'aro stated.

Following the tragic incident, governor Mung'aro ordered the closure of all ECDE centres in the county until next week.

"Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), all ECDE centres to be closed until next week. And children should not be allowed to be near schools," the governor added.

A screengrab image of a roof destroyed by a storm in Kenyan Coast.

Mung'aro cautioned the locals to be vigilant as the strong winds had destroyed some infrastructure with electricity lines brought down.

However, on Wednesday, the Kenya Meteorological Department disclosed that cyclone IALY that hit the Kenyan coast had weakened to a moderate tropical storm. 

The weatherman intimated that as the cyclone continued to weaken, it was expected to disappear completely by Wednesday morning.

"IALY is experiencing rapid weakening and is expected to dissipate completely by Wednesday morning while remaining offshore. The residual vortex is unlikely to persist long enough to cross the equator," Kenya Met stated.