President Ruto Orders School Re-Opening Date Be Postponed

By Moses Muli

Published: May 3, 2024, 4:01 PM

President William Ruto on Friday issued a raft of directives to ministries and agencies to enhance response measures against the devastating floods ravaging the country.

In an address to the nation from State House, Nairobi, the Head of State said no corner of the country has been spared by the havoc.

He said the rains will persist and increase in both duration and intensity for the rest of the month and probably beyond.

First off, the President directed the Ministry of Education to postpone re-opening of schools for Second Term until further notice.

The Ministry had pushed the reopening date from April 29 to May 6, 2024.

Ruto also directed the National Treasury to provide adequate resources and work with other development partners to purchase and supply food, medical and other non-food items.

Further, the President directed the Kenya Defense Forces and the National Police Service to deploy resources, personnel and equipment for carrying out coordinated public safety and risk mitigation operations.

“Security agencies are further directed to enlist the support of the National Youth Service and work with National Government Administration Officers to respond to this emergency, including ensuring timely, orderly and humane evacuation of all persons at risk,” he added.

He directed county security committees to determine on a case-by-case basis the radius of areas requiring vacation or mandatory evacuation orders.

“The county security committees are further directed to continuously monitor other dams or water reservoirs across the country that may not be presenting a risk now but could do so in the event of further precipitation,” Ruto said.

The Head of State said Cabinet Secretaries will spearhead disaster response and mitigation efforts across the country.

“To this end, Ministries, Departments and Agencies are directed to work closely with the National Disaster Operations Centre and Security Agencies to ensure the whole of government approach to the management of the prevailing crisis.”

The President further noted that the government, working with stakeholders, has put in place adequate measures to provide temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies for the displaced.

He directed the ministry responsible for Special Programmes to work with development partners and relevant humanitarian organizations to mobilize adequate food and non-food supplies to support the affected persons.

The ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, through the National Cereals and Produce Board, was directed to make available food supplies in government stores to support this effort.

Further, the ministry of Health was directed to work with development partners, including the WHO, AMREF, Red Cross, UNHCR, WFP and other relevant humanitarian organizations to mobilize resources and logistical support to avail essential drugs and other medical supplies.

The President also directed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the relocation and evacuation of affected members of the public, identify sites for temporary shelter for displaced persons and supervise the overall support programmes.