Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that schools will reopen for the second term next week despite the ongoing heavy rainfall and floods.
However, speaking on Friday, April 26, the deputy president explained that the institutions affected by floods will remain closed for an additional number of days.
He also noted that the Ministry of Education was working with the county governments to ensure the safety of the students as they go back to school.
“The schools will re-open as scheduled and planned. But where there are cases of affected people, the county governments, the national government and the directors of education in those counties with the recommendation of the education PS Belio Kipsang, we can always extend for a few days until they settle down,” he said.
All basic Education institutions are expected to open for the second term of the school calendar on Monday April 29.
Also Read: LIVE UPDATES: 10 People Swept Away by Floods While Crossing River
Machogu on schools Reopening Before Gachagua Order
Earlier, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said that the Ministry was assessing schools’ preparedness to handle ongoing heavy rains and floods ahead of the second term opening.
In a memo dated April 25 addressed to all regional Directors of Education, Machogu stated that the ministry would collect data in all basic education institutions to determine if they were ready for reopening.
“Several parts of the country are reported to be experiencing heavy rains and flooding. As a result, there is a need to establish the effects of the long rains on Basic Education Institutions in the country,
“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.
For effective planning, the regional directors were instructed to coordinate the submission of the data from their various regions and work closely with other stakeholders.
“The purpose of this circular is to request you to coordinate the submission of the data/information from your region using the attached template,” the memo added.
“Work closely with the Boards of Management and other stakeholders and ensure that all basic institutions in your regions open for second term 2024,” said Machogu.
Also Read: Machogu Issues Directive on Floods Ahead of Next Week’s School Reopening
Floods In Kenya
Amid the ongoing heavy rainfall, some of the affected people were moved by the government to various institutions in higher ground including schools.
The death toll of the raging floods in had shot to over 70 by Friday, April 26, evening as heavy rains continued to pour.
“Contrary to other figures, the official tally of fellow Kenyans who regrettably have lost their lives due to the flooding situation now stands at 70 lives,” government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated.
In Sultan Hamud, Makueni County, a lorry ferrying more than 10 people was swept away by raging water leaving unknown number of people missing.
The Kenya Red Cross indicated that 11 victims of the incident had been rescued while search continued for the missing individuals. Various roads across the country and railway lines were also affected by floods and landslides caused by the heavy rainfall.
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