DP Gachagua says El Nino deaths a result of recklessness by Kenyans

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blamed a considerable number of deaths witnessed during the recent spate of El Nino floods on what he terms as the recklessness of Kenyans.

DP Gachagua said that 37 out of a reported 87 fatalities were as a result of individuals daring nature and venturing into perilous floodwaters.

“Out of the 87 deaths that have occurred due to El Nino, 37 of them is by drowning. Not floods getting into your house, but you going to where the floods are and daring nature,” he said in Kwale County on Tuesday.

Furthermore, the Deputy President strongly criticized the impatience and risky behavior of some Kenyans, pointing out instances where individuals recklessly braved dangerous waters in their haste to reach their destinations despite visible warnings.

“Kenyans are cruising rivers when they can see the waters are menacing and they are rough. And they still insist that they are in a hurry to go somewhere, and they never reach there,” he stated.

In addition Gachagua questioned the feasibility of government intervention when Kenyans, in his words, deliberately put themselves in harm’s way.

“I want to appeal to the people of Kenya wherever they are to be responsible. How do we intervene when you yourself get into a river and you can see the way it is flowing?” he posed.

Appealing for caution, the DP further urged Kenyans to prioritize their safety, considering the impact of their actions on their families.

“We want to appeal to the people of Kenya to take care of their lives and to know that they have families. If they don’t care about themselves, they are people who care about them. Let us not be adventurous, let us not try to cross a river that you can see is dangerous,” he said.

He also revealed that county-level security teams have been deployed with the mandate to prevent deliberate attempts at endangering lives.

“We have instructed county security and intelligent teams to put measures into place, to assist Kenyans on how to be responsible. Let our officers not allow people to drown themselves,” he said.