Gov't launches Emergency Response Center as Flooding Claims 60 Lives

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has announced the activation of a multi-agency emergency response centre to address flooding in the country that has left at least 60 dead.

Gachagua was speaking at a press briefing after a multi-agency response team meeting at State House, where he urged Kenyans to cooperate with the government during rescue exercises.

“The multi-agency emergency response center has been activated from 4 pm and will be domiciled at Nyayo house to monitor what is happening in the country and initiate immediate interventions to save lives and property,” he said.

The DP stated that all displaced individuals would be provided with alternative settlements and the National Youth Service would provide shelter for the most vulnerable in society.

“All internally displaced persons will be facilitated to find alternative settlements. In extreme cases, the National Youth Service will provide shelter to the most vulnerable members of our society,” he added.

Additionally, he said that the affected households would be provided with food and non-food items.

He said that daily alerts will be issued to keep Kenyans informed of areas of potential danger.

“Daily alerts will be issued to Kenyans to inform them of what is happening in areas where there is obvious danger, and to appeal to them to cooperate with government agencies and other partners to save lives,” the DP said.

 This comes after President William Ruto announced that people living in areas prone to flooding will be moved, whether they like it or not, to ensure they do not endanger their lives.

As he was presiding over the official opening of Bunge Tower in Nairobi on Thursday, Ruto expressed concern at how floods in different parts of the country have caused loss of life and property.

“I will be having another emergency session tomorrow with multi-agency teams to make sure we provide adequate support to all those in need and to move citizens who are in dangerous areas that may be susceptible to floods,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we will have to move some of them without them agreeing because otherwise they put themselves in danger.”