Machogu Issues Directive On School Reopening As More Heavy Rains Loom

The Ministry of Education, under Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu, has directed regional heads to evaluate the ongoing floods ahead of the reopening of schools set to commence next week.

The ministry issued a memo on Thursday, April 25 to regional directors of education, noting that their assessment will aid in influencing its decision to allow the planned reopening of schools to proceed.

"The Ministry is in the process of collecting data/information to establish the readiness of all Basic Education Institutions for the second term of 2024," the memo read in part.

Among the factors to be taken into consideration include the damage caused by the ongoing floods on schools across the country.

"The data on the effects of the rains and flooding will be crucial for planning and for sharing with the Education in Emergencies cluster working group," it added.

Reports indicate that the outcome of the assessment could prompt the Ministry to likely postpone the reopening date to allow for repairs to be conducted.

The Ministry revealed that the regional directors will be expected to oversee the process of collecting data and should report their findings before Friday, April 26.

Meanwhile, the latest weather forecast by the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates intensified heavy rains exceeding 40mm in 24 hours.

The Met Department on Thursday noted that the heavy rains will persist in the Lake Basin, Rift Valley highlands, and West and East Rift Valley.

Other areas that would experience heavy downpours include; Nairobi, Southeast Lowlands, Coast, and Northern sector.

The weatherman noted that the intensity of the rains would escalate surpassing 50mm in 24 hours, over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Nairobi area, Southeast Lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin, and off-coast on April 26, 2024, to April 27, 2024 before reducing from April 28, 2024.

Kenya Met also warned Kenyans of the likelihood of gusty winds, large ocean waves, and strong southerly winds in the eastern sector.

In response to the flooding crisis, the government set up an Agency Response Centre to monitor the impact of floods across the country, which is set to be domiciled at Nyayo House.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the response centre under the Ministry of Interior will initiate immediate interventions to save lives and property from destruction, with a focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and alternative settlement in extreme cases.

The DP mentioned that the Government will apply all required resources in terms of money and personnel to ensure no lives are lost and that the affected households will be provided with food and non-food items during the flood disaster.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua flanked by members of the National Disaster Response Committee addressing the media at State House, Nairobi on April 25, 2024. /DPPS