Kenya’s Government Implements Comprehensive Strategy for Flood Prevention

President William Ruto has announced the government’s proactive measures to address the impending flood crisis in the country. In a National Address at State House Nairobi, the President revealed that the government has adopted a “Whole of Government Approach” to effectively respond to the crisis following forecasts of increased rainfall.

Cabinet Secretaries will lead disaster response and mitigation efforts nationwide, working closely with the National Disaster Operations Centre and security agencies. The Treasury will provide resources for the purchase and distribution of essential supplies like food and medical equipment.

President Ruto also instructed the Ministry of Education to postpone school reopenings until further notice and directed county security committees to define riparian reserve boundaries for evacuation. The Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service are deploying resources for public safety operations, with support from the National Youth Service and National Government Administration officers.

The President urged Kenyans in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds promptly to prevent loss of life. He also emphasized the need for long-term solutions to address climate change, calling on citizens to support the ecosystem restoration plan to plant 15 billion trees in the next decade.

The government is working with stakeholders to provide temporary shelter and essential supplies to affected communities. MPs are urged to prioritize the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged by floods. The President also warned of a potential cyclone named Hidaya, urging preparedness for torrential rain and strong winds along the Kenyan coast.

Overall, the government’s efforts aim to address the immediate crisis while emphasizing the importance of long-term climate change mitigation strategies.