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President Ruto urges swift action as floods wreak havoc across the country

Kenyan President William Ruto at a past event. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 24 Apr 2024

Met Department early this week warned of landslides and flooding in low-lying and urban areas with poor drainage.

President William Ruto has addressed the ongoing impact of heavy rains in various across the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Head of State said he had earlier convened with local leaders to assess the situation firsthand.

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"This morning I engaged leaders in counties and regions affected by the ongoing heavy rains," Ruto said.

At the same, the President announced that he had issued a directive to key ministries and agencies to respond promptly to the flood's impact.

Ruto said the respective ministries will immediately step up multi-agency response efforts.

"I directed the ministries of Interior and EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, and the National Youth Service to immediately respond to the situation caused by the floods," he added.

Floods leave a trail of destruction in Mathare, Nairobi on April 24, 2024. (Hanifa Adan)

Expected floods

Kenya Meteorological Department early this week warned of landslides and flooding in low-lying and urban areas with poor drainage.

In its seven-day weather forecast released on Monday, the Met Department also said floods are expected in low-lying areas and in urban areas with poor drainage.

Rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country from April 23 to April 29, 2024.

As of April 22, 2024, Red Cross Kenya recorded 35 deaths and over 188 rescued since the start of March-May rains, with 27,716 acres submerged, 4,824 livestock lost, and 23 counties affected.

Kenya's capital has been greatly affected by the floods. On Wednesday morning, many houses were submerged with reports indicating that some residents in Mathare were forced to sleep on rooftops overnight.