Government to relocate flood victims from schools ahead of reopening

Flood victims in North Eastern Kenya will be relocated from schools ahead of students resuming studies on Monday, May 13, the area regional commissioner, John Otieno, says.

Speaking during the national tree planting exercise at Garissa Teachers Training College, Otieno assured the victims that alternative camps had already been identified within the town and were ready to host them until normalcy returns.

"Those currently in schools will be taken to other places and the government will provide mosquito nets and tents for temporary structures for them to continue their lives," Otieno added.

One of the challenges the county administration may face during the relocation process, according to Otieno, is ensuring a consistent provision of food and non-food items for the flood victims. However, the government will enact mechanisms to ensure the well-being of the victims as they move to the alternative accommodation centres.

"We urge the parents to send their children to school on Monday, as schools will be opening as President (William Ruto) directed," he said.

In Garissa Township, Hyuga, Jaribu, Young Muslim, and Kasuko Primary Schools are hosting flood victims, with some being accommodated in classes while others were allowed to build temporary tents in the compound.

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno plants a tree at Garissa Teachers Training College on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

After the tree planting event, the regional commissioner and county security committee visited Hyuga Primary School and assured the victims that they will be relocated to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO). However, the victims requested to be relocated to Garissa NEP Technical as KALRO does not have a fence, which would put their lives at risk.

Speaking after the event, Garissa Million Trees CEO Abdikadir Aden Hassan said the reopening of schools would need much coordination, as flood victims need a lot of help.

Abdikadir was wary about the psychological preparedness of the victims to be relocated to different camps, which may affect them, especially children.

He added that the Competency-Based Curriculum should teach students to be prepared for disasters and be taught life skills lessons such as swimming, and other survival models.

"Floods are here to stay. It's not something that can be prevented. We must learn how to live and adapt to it," Abdikadir stated.