Ruto To Pay Ksh10,000 To Kenyan Households Affected By Floods

President William Ruto has promised that Kenyans who were evacuated for their own safety due to the ongoing floods in the country will receive a Ksh10,000 stipend from the National Government.

Speaking on Monday, May 6 during a visit to Mathare, Nairobi County, the Head of State revealed that the amount would help the families to secure a place to stay as the government comes up with a long-term solution.

"Everyone in 40,000 households that have been relocated for their safety, the government will give them Ksh10,000 to look for a place to stay as they await the government's next course of action," he announced.

President William Ruto speaking in Mathare, Nairobi County on May 6, 2024. /PCS

"For every household that we have relocated from here, we have taken your names and we will make sure that those who lived here, we will give you money to look for a place to rent for the next three months as the government plans on how you'll be assisted."

Recipients of the cash will be households that were evacuated by government administration officers with the help of Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Police and National Youth Service.

Ruto in the same vein vowed to ensure that the money would not be misappropriated by unscrupulous individuals, stating "If they try that Kiswahili, they will deal with me. I told the wicked, the corrupt and the thieves that mambo yao ni matatu".

At the same time, the President announced that Kenya would embark on planting trees in Mathare and other riparian lands.

Ruto also announced that Kenyans who had built shacks on the riparian lands would have to be given alternative housing by the National Government, adding that starting next week, a tender would be floated to build 5,000 affordable houses in the Mathare area. 

Once completed, evacuated Kenyans would receive a priority in occupying the houses according to the President. 

The cash stipend promise comes hours after the British High Commission in Nairobi announced an emergency funding uplift of over Ksh140 million to support flood relief efforts in Kenya.

"The funding will enable the provision of cash assistance to approximately 6,900 households in the most affected counties.

"UNICEF will also provide urgently needed health, nutrition and sanitation services through integrated outreaches which includes the provision of safe water for drinking, temporary sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits to families displaced by the floods," the statement read in part.