President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to postpone the re-opening of all schools in the country due to the ongoing flooding crisis triggered by heavy rains.
In a national address on Friday, President Ruto announced the indefinite postponement of the school re-opening date, originally set for April 29, 2024, and later rescheduled to May 6, 2024, citing the worsening situation caused by the relentless rainfall.
“No corner of our country has been spared from this havoc. The re-opening date of our schools after the April holidays, which was scheduled for Monday this week, had to be varied. Transportation has become challenging in many parts of the country due to flooded and damaged roads and bridges and the threat of raging rivers and overflowing dams in downstream regions,” President Ruto stated.
Highlighting the severity of the crisis, President Ruto revealed that 210 people had lost their lives, with many others injured and extensive property damage reported.
“Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period, as the situation is expected to escalate. Meteorological reports paint a dire picture: The rains will persist, increasing both in duration and intensity for the rest of this month and possibly after,” he added.
President Ruto also called upon Members of Parliament to prioritize the allocation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged by the floods.
Furthermore, he instructed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the relocation and evacuation of affected individuals, identify sites for temporary shelter, and supervise support programs.
The government has identified 178 dams and water reservoirs within public and private land in 33 counties that pose a significant risk to adjacent settlements due to their full capacity. Additionally, residents in high-risk areas prone to landslides and mudslides are being evacuated to ensure their safety.
By Vivian K.