Ruto Issues Orders To Ministries, NYS Over Floods

President William Ruto on Wednesday, April 24 broke his silence following the floods that have affected various parts of the country due to the heavy rains, which have led to more than 20,000 households displaced and lives lost.

In a statement, Ruto announced that he directed three Ministries as well as the National Youth Service (NYS) to immediately respond to the flooding situation.

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

Floods affecting Mathare slums on April 24, 2024. /RACHAEL MWIKALI

"Consequently, 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. They will immediately step up multi-agency response efforts," he stated.

His statement comes hours after three family members passed away in Mathare, Nairobi after raging floods marooned their house.

According to reports, the family of Benna Buluma — a human rights activist and a mother — was submerged in the floods resulting in the loss of lives. Earlier reports indicated that despite rescue efforts being mounted, attempts by first responders to retrieve the bodies of the three were not yet successful.

Mathare was one of the regions severely affected by raging floods with media reports documenting numerous instances of homes in low-lying areas within the capital submerged in the flood waters.

The Kenya Red Cross managed to mount a search for flood victims and rescued 18 people in the Mradi area within the informal settlement.

“Eighteen people, including 11 adults and 7 children, have just been rescued by our Red Cross Action Team in Mradi, Mathare 4A, after becoming stranded due to floodwaters caused by heavy rains last night in Nairobi,” the Red Cross communicated in a statement.

Earlier, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the suspension of all pending building development approvals in a bid to prevent the collapse of major infrastructure affected by the heavy downpour.

At the same time, the county boss announced that his administration was banning all excavations within Nairobi County with immediate effect.

“We have done away with excavations at the sites, all sites especially those along riparian areas, with immediate effect,” he added.

“All excavations of buildings especially those that have gone close to their neighbours have been stopped forthwith because the structural integrity of the buildings cannot be assured at this time.”

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department advised Kenyans to brace for more rainfall from Thursday through to Friday.

Heavy to Very Heavy events are likely in Highlands East/West of Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, South-eastern lowlands, Coast, North-western, and North-eastern Kenya.