KDF choppers deployed as President Ruto issues new orders on flood mitigation

President William Ruto has ordered the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to utilise their helicopters in delivering essential commodities like food and medicine to parts of the country impacted by the El Nino floods.

Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Saturday following a meeting with the multi-agency team overseeing El Nino relief efforts countrywide, President Ruto noted that the move stemmed from the fact that many Northern Kenya counties have been left isolated following the heavy downpours.

This, he says, has made it difficult for the counties' residents to access basic and vital commodities.

"I have instructed KDF to provide their air service facilities to airlift any commodities required in different parts of Kenya and especially last mile deliveries in counties marooned by floods. This will be rolled out immediately," said President Ruto.

“We are also going to mobilise the NYS and the engineering department at KDF and we have also agreed with the Ministry of Roads that all road contractors in the different parts of Kenya be mobilised to provide emergency intervention services to make sure that roads are opened.”

While noting that the Cabinet will convene on Monday, November 27, to deliberate on various recommendations proposed by the El-Nino mitigation team, the President stated that the Ministry of Roads in collaboration with KeNHA will work in tandem to ensure that trunk roads affected by the rains are accessible.

He added that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Red Cross have been tasked with supplying medicine to the affected areas owing to rising cases of waterborne diseases in the regions.

"The Ministry of water will also work with the CoG to make sure that where water infrastructure has been submerged, there is water for drinking and use," said Ruto.

Ruto further stated that the Ministry of Energy has been given the responsibility of alerting Kenyans residing near dams of any potential overflow situations beforehand, so that they can be evacuated safely and in good time.

"The provincial administration has been tasked with ensuring that citizens who are living in areas where there could be possibilities of mud slides are informed ahead of time and relocated ahead of time so that we avoid unnecessary losses as we have seen in the past," he added.

While noting that the security in different parts of the country had been affected by the rains, Ruto tasked the National Police Service (NPS) with ensuring that peace prevails in the regions despite the floods.

He also urged farmers in areas not affected by the floods to take advantage of the moderate rains recorded in their regions and continue with their farming activities.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has been tasked to make sure that where support for farmers is required, that support is made available," said the Head of State, adding that the Treasury is currently exploring different mechanisms of funding to help with the flood mitigation efforts.