Kenya's President William Ruto has declared Friday a public holiday to allow the country to mourn the 238 people who have died due to ongoing flooding and to plant trees to mitigate the effects of climate change. The government has also announced the reopening of schools countrywide after a two-week delay due to heavy rains that have destroyed hundreds of schools.
Kenya's President William Ruto has declared Friday a public holiday to mourn the 238 people who have died due to ongoing flooding. The president on Wednesday said the day will be observed by national tree planting activities to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Kenya, along with other parts of East Africa, has been overwhelmed by floods. More than 235,000 people are displaced and living in dozens of camps.
President Ruto also announced the reopening of schools countrywide, after a two-week delay due to heavy rains that have destroyed hundreds of schools.
The government has said more than 1,000 schools were affected by the heavy rains and flooding and set aside funds for renovations.
The meteorology department in its daily weather forecast has continued to predict moderate to heavy rainfall in most parts of the country.
The government is in the process of forcefully evacuating people living in flood-prone areas and those near rivers and dams as water levels in the country's major hydroelectric dams rise to "historic levels".
This week, the government bulldozed houses in the informal settlements of Mathare and Mukuru in the capital Nairobi and the president promised evicted families the equivalent of $75 to relocate after a deadline passed to evacuate amid deadly rains.
The floods have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines. The government has estimated the cost of the damage at billions of dollars.
The United Nations has appealed for $300 million in aid to help Kenya respond to the floods. The World Bank has also approved a $100 million loan to help the country rebuild.
The floods are the worst Kenya has seen in decades. They have been caused by a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, deforestation, and poor drainage.
The government has been criticized for its slow response to the crisis. Many Kenyans have complained that they have not received any assistance from the government.
The government has said it is doing everything it can to help those affected by the floods. It has set up dozens of camps for displaced people and is providing them with food, water, and shelter.
The government has also appealed to Kenyans to donate food, clothing, and other supplies to help those in need.
