"We need at least 20 million shillings in aid of flood victims. This amount may increase if the situation gets worse," KRCS spokesman Antony Mwangi told AFP by telephone.

Heavy rains currently pounding virtually the entire country have caused floods in many low-lying areas of the country where homes have been inundated and crops destroyed.

"The floods are not showing any signs of receding because the rains are increasing. The situation is worsening and as a result we have moved very fast to pre-empt possible malaria and cholera outbreaks," said Mwangi.

"For example 90 percent of (western) Budalangi constituency is under water", he said, adding that several schools in western Kenya had been submerged and roads damaged.

Other affected districts include, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya and Busia.

The floods have killed some 30 people, mainly through drowning, and displaced an estimated 20,000 others, according to Red Cross estimates.

"Its hard to get a precise figure of the victims now, but all we know is that the figure more than 30 dead and more than 20,000 displaced," said Mwangi.

Last week, the KRCS delivered relief supplies valued at 1.6 million Kenyan shillings (21,600 dollars) to the affected areas in western Kenya.

Kenyan Vice President Michael Wamalwa, who on Monday claimed that the floods had affected a million people, has launched an emergency fund for the affected people.

SPACE.WIRE