The Government has announced that the schools will be reopened on Monday 13th May, 2024 after reports that there are no floods and some counties have reported favourable whether conditions
In a periodic government’s updates on the proactive measures takjng to address the ravaging devastating effects of floods across the country, Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura confirmed what President William Ruto had announced earlier on Wednesday 8th May, 2024
However, Mwaura urged parents to take precautionary measures on their children during this time at home and even when they will be reporting since there might be some areas risky for school going children
Dr Mwaura disclosed that for the last 24 hours, 19 people have died of heavy downpour increasing the number from 238 to 257 while 72 others are reported missing so far
“As of today, we are mourning the loss of a total of 257 lives with 14 adults and the 5 children reported dead, in the last 24 hours. A total of 188 people have been injured while 293661 people have been affected and 54 837 households have been displaced,” Mwaura indicated
He said 61 health facilities have also been rendered dysfunctional by the raging waters in 11 counties where crops approximately 9816 acres of land have been destroyed with 44 cases of cholera outbreak being reported by the ministry of health
He reiterated that the government is doing everything possible to evacuate victims and offer relief food to over 283,000 people affected urging them to move to the safer grounds without being forced
According to the Government Spokesperson, the devastating effects of floods caught the administration inadequately to address the disaster where they needed Sh 20 billion to respond to the emerging effects of floods
“There are number of search and rescue operations that are ongoing across the country, to relocate the affected individuals to higher ground and to provide the affected households with medical and related assistance,” he stated
Mwaura stated that County governments, Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Red Cross have responded to emergencies and successfully evacuated residents in Kisumu, Narok, Machakos, Nakuru and Tana River Counties.
Additionally, rescue support is being provided by National Youth Service, National Police Service, National Disaster Operation Managers, Public Health Officers and the ambulance service providers who are on site in each of the emergency locations. There is however, need for more food, medical kits and non-food items to affected Counties and where search and rescue operations are still ongoing including in Narok, West Pokot, Nyeri, Siaya and Kirinyaga