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Ruto: Government prepared to deal with all flood-related challenges

President William Ruto during the closing of the International Development Association (IDA21) Replenishment Summit, Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi on April 29, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 30 Apr 2024

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has called for the deployment of enforcement teams to all areas prone to flooding.

President William Ruto has affirmed the government's readiness to address the challenges amid the torrential rains and extensive flooding that have affected the country this month.

Speaking at the sidelines of the International Development Association (IDA21) summit in Nairobi on Monday, the President said more measures will be announced after he chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

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"Just a while ago we had a drought a year ago, today we have floods. A year ago, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique were having floods, today they are having a drought. It is the new normal of our situation and we have to continuously work at it," Ruto said.

According to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, at least 166 Kenyans have lost their lives due to the flooding across the country as of the evening of Monday, April 29, 2024.

The Head of State has however assured that government is prepared to lessen the pain occasioned by the dire situation Kenyans find themselves in.

"We have food supplies in place. We will make sure those affected by mudslides and the floods are taken care of like in Nairobi where the floods have displaced 10,000 people," Ruto said.

Dams' inspection

Already, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) across the Country to inspect all public and private dams and water reservoirs in their jurisdictions.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaks to NYS officers after he inspected the devastation in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County after the Old Kijabe Dam burst its banks on April 29, 2024. (Photo: DPCS)

The committees will also recommend cases where compulsory evacuation and temporary resettlement orders are to be issued.

Kindiki also said that Kenyans who force their way through flooded bridges will be charged with attempted suicide.

"Deploy enforcement teams at urban and rural road spots prone to stormwater flooding and without bridges or where the water has breached the bridge to prevent motorists or pedestrians from dangerous crossovers and to arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide and/or attempted murder as the facts of the case may be," he said.

The CS on Monday also called for the deployment of enforcement teams to all areas prone to flooding.

The Interior boss said the deployed officers must prevent motorists and pedestrians from making dangerous crossovers in these flooded places.

In addition to that, Kindiki also ordered the arrest of any individuals who will be transporting passengers across flooded rivers or stormwater using unsafe canoes or boats.

He said such people are taking advantage of the situation to make money from persons in distress.

"Arrest inexperienced and unscrupulous persons taking advantage of the prevailing situation to cash in on persons in distress," Kindiki added.

Last week, the government set up a multi-agency emergency response team to coordinate rescue, and relief support to all Kenyans, amid the ravaging floods.