President William Ruto of Kenya has declared Friday a public holiday to mourn the 238 people who have died due to ongoing flooding in the country. The day will be observed by national tree planting activities to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Kenya, along with other parts of East Africa, has been overwhelmed by floods, with more than 235,000 people displaced and living in dozens of camps. The government has also announced the reopening of schools countrywide, following a two-week delay due to heavy rains that destroyed hundreds of schools. Over 1,000 schools were affected by the heavy rains and flooding, prompting the government to set aside funds for renovations.
In addition to the reopening of schools, Kenya’s meteorology department has continued to predict moderate to heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. The government is currently in the process of forcefully evacuating people living in flood-prone areas and those near rivers and dams as water levels in the country’s major hydroelectric dams rise to “historic levels”. This week, the government took action by bulldozing houses in the informal settlements of Mathare and Mukuru in the capital Nairobi. President Ruto has promised evicted families the equivalent of $75 to relocate after a deadline passed to evacuate amid deadly rains.
The ongoing flooding in Kenya has led to a significant loss of life and displacement of thousands of people. President Ruto’s decision to declare a public holiday to mourn the victims and conduct national tree planting activities is a step towards acknowledging and addressing the impact of climate change on the country. The reopening of schools after the delay caused by heavy rains and flooding demonstrates the government’s efforts to ensure that students are able to continue their education despite the challenges posed by the natural disasters. By predicting ongoing rainfall and taking proactive measures to evacuate at-risk populations, the government is working to mitigate the effects of the flooding and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Despite the challenges posed by the heavy rains and flooding, Kenya’s government is taking active steps to address the crisis. By providing funds for school renovations, forcefully evacuating residents from flood-prone areas, and offering assistance to families affected by the demolitions in informal settlements, the government is working to protect its citizens and mitigate the impact of the ongoing natural disasters. The situation in Kenya serves as a reminder of the urgent need for global action to address the impacts of climate change, which are becoming increasingly severe and leading to devastating consequences for vulnerable communities around the world. The government’s response to the flooding in Kenya highlights the importance of proactive measures and investments in resilience to protect lives and livelihoods in the face of a changing climate.
