Kenyan President William Ruto has taken decisive action in response to the devastating toll inflicted by torrential rains in the country. With 171 fatalities reported since March due to flooding, President Ruto has deployed the military to evacuate residents residing in flood-prone regions.
The ongoing seasonal rains, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, have wreaked havoc across the East African nation, submerging villages and posing a continuous threat of further destruction in the weeks ahead.
The situation reached a tragic climax in the Rift Valley region on Monday, where nearly 50 individuals, including children, lost their lives in a single incident. A makeshift dam in Kamuchiri village, Nakuru county, burst before dawn, unleashing a torrent of water and mud that swept away everything in its path.
This catastrophic event stands as the deadliest episode of the March-May rainy season thus far, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the escalating crisis.
Following his visit to the devastated Kamuchiri village and chairing a cabinet meeting in Nairobi, President Ruto outlined the government’s response strategy. He announced the mobilization of the military, the national youth service, and all security agencies to aid in the evacuation of citizens from high-risk areas.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, President Ruto stressed that residents in affected regions would have 48 hours to relocate to safer ground, as the forecast indicates a continuation of rainfall and a heightened risk of flooding, which could further jeopardize lives.
President Ruto’s proactive approach underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens in the face of natural disasters. Urging against complacency, he emphasized the importance of preemptive action over guesswork, stating, “It is not a time for guesswork, we are better off safe than sorry.”
With the nation on high alert and emergency response efforts in full swing, Kenya braces itself for continued challenges posed by the relentless onslaught of rain and its devastating consequences.
