Deputy Government Spokesperson Gabriel Muthuma has been forced to clarify government directives of moving flood victims to higher grounds amid heavy rainfall.
Speaking to a local media house, Muthuma reiterated Government’s stand to move flood victims to higher grounds citing safety concerns.
However, Muthuma was forced to explain what exactly is meant by the term ‘higher ground’ and if indeed the government had apportioned satellite centers where flood victims would be relocated.
Muthuma stated that the current evacuation orders carried out by the government had human face and was well planned out, different from the previous regime where he said victims were forcefully removed.
‘These are very guided evacuation and not done haphazardly and that all evacuation orders are carried out during the day unlike in the previous regime,” stated Muthuma.
Govt Approach Questioned
Questions of practicality in the government approach when dealing with flood victims living in Mathare and Mukuru slums have caught most Kenyans asking where exactly this higher ground is.
Kenya’s President William Ruto is facing increasing criticism for his handling of the country’s worst floods in thirty years.
The floods have claimed over 150 lives and displaced more than 150,000 people across various regions.
Despite the mounting devastation and calls for the situation to be declared a national disaster, President Ruto has hesitated to take such action, instead stressing the need to provide immediate resources to affected areas.
Also Read: Govt Announces Reduction in Number of Flood-Related Casualties
The floods have caused damage to transportation infrastructure like roads and bridges, making it difficult to reach affected communities.
Calls to Declare Floods National Disaster
According to critics, calls for a national disaster declaration are aimed at streamlining government response efforts and directing more resources towards rescue operations and infrastructure repair.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga during a visit to Mukuru slums flood victims joined the chorus of criticism, questioning why the government failed to implement contingency plans despite early warnings from the Meteorological Department about the possibility of severe flooding in multiple regions.
Ruto’s stance, however, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson, remains focused on addressing the immediate needs of flood victims, including relocating those in severely affected informal settlements to new housing units being constructed as part of the government’s affordable housing program and moving them to higher grounds.
Also Read: Govt Gives Update on Cyclone Hidaya Threat in Kenya
Met Department Rainfall Forecast
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a forecast indicating that heavy rainfall is expected to persist in various parts of the country, particularly within the Nairobi metropolis and several other regions.
According to KMD’s predictions, Kenyans residing in Nairobi and its surrounding areas should brace for moderate to heavy rainfall, potentially reaching very heavy levels in the coming weeks.
In addition to Nairobi, other regions expected to be affected by the heavy rains include the South-eastern lowlands, Rift Valley, Coast, North-western, and North-eastern Kenya.
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