Kilifi Governor, Gideon Mung’aro has ordered the immediate closure of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) schools in the county following the death of a pupil due to strong winds experienced in the coastal region.
In the incident, the pupil from Kaloleni sub county died after being hit by a flying iron sheet caused by the strong winds which also left four others seriously injured.
While speaking during a county mashinani rally held at Chumani in Matsangoni ward, Governor Gideon Mung’aro ordered the temporary closure of all ECDE centres.
As such, the governor noted that the institutions will be closed for one week to monitor the heavy wind situation.
“From Wednesday, all ECDE schools should be closed till next week,” Gideon said.
He reported that the strong winds which occurred on Tuesday, May 21, caused several damages including fallen trees blocking roads in Takaungu and toppled electricity poles.
Also Read: Weatherman Predicts End Date for Tropical Storm IALY
“We’ve had an accident brought about by the strong winds, there are fallen electricity poles, however, at Mariakani there’s an ECDE school that had its roof blown off and caused the death of a pupil and left four others seriously injured,” he said.
Effects of Storm IALY
Consequently, residents of the coast have been advised to exercise caution and avoid engaging in marine and other ocean related activities as the region experiences powerful winds along it’s coastline due to storm IALY.
Kilifi County authorities further cautioned locals to stay away from the beaches and avoid seeking shade from old trees in the area that could easily fall.
According to reports, the effects of the winds are already being felt in the area, including the destruction of the parking lot at the county commissioner’s office, which led to the damage of a government vehicle.
“The storm has been transversing our deep seas and it will not have a landfall, so the effects are not going to be as devastating as it was to be if it had a landfall.
“Today they are around 4.5, tomorrow they will be around up to 2.7 so we’re warning our ocean users not to venture today because that is too high for them. Normally when they’re over three metres, there’s no boat that can wage through,” said an expert.
Also Read: Roofs Blown Away, Electric Posts on Fire as Storm Hits
Tourists Account on the Storm
Among those affected by the storm, which has hit the coast for the third consecutive day are tourists.
Speaking to the press, tourists aboard the MS Insignia from Seychelles said the waters have been rough for the entire journey.
“It was a little rough in the ocean yesterday, we were following a storm, it was rough weather,” said one tourist.
“It was pretty rough, I mean the ship was rocking back and forth quite a bit, a lot of rain but I mean it’s big enough ship that it wasn’t too bad,” said another.
The Kenya Marine Research Institute has warned that the storm will continue for the next two days, lasting until Friday, May 24.
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