Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has announced the government’s heightened efforts to provide assistance to individuals affected by severe flooding caused by ongoing heavy rains across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kindiki revealed that in line with President William Ruto’s directive, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) at the Interior Ministry has intensified coordination efforts among various government ministries, state agencies, and humanitarian organizations to extend support to affected individuals.
“The National Police Service (NPS) is leading search and rescue operations on land and air, with the Kenya Red Cross complementing these efforts. The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has also been instructed to intensify response operations,” he stated.
Kindiki emphasized that County Security Teams nationwide have been instructed to collaborate with County Government officials to ensure the mandatory evacuation of those at risk. Additionally, he mentioned government mobilization efforts to provide food and non-food items to support displaced individuals.
“All available financial, human, and public resources are being deployed to alleviate the adverse effects of flooding on lives, livestock, crops, and property,” Kindiki affirmed.
He highlighted that the Meteorological Department and Road Agencies would issue frequent public advisories for areas prone to heavy rainfall, urging motorists and pedestrians to avoid risky behavior in flood-prone or excessively wet areas.
Kindiki urged the public to cooperate with safety, health, risk, emergency, and communication teams dispatched to monitor and provide assistance to those in distress.
Heavy rains have affected various regions in the country, with the Kenya Meteorological Department predicting continued rainfall through May 2024.
As a result of the heavy rainfall, rivers and dams have overflowed, leading to the submergence of homes. In certain regions, flood victims have been forced to seek refuge on treetops and rooftops until the waters recede.
The Kenya Red Cross has warned that the flood situation has escalated from an emergency to a disaster, with the death toll reaching 38.
