President Ruto pledges aid and school reconstruction amidst Nairobi flood crisis

Kenyan President William Ruto has announced emergency financial aid for households affected by floods in Nairobi, promising each family 10,000 Shillings (approximately 75 USD) and pledging to rebuild all schools destroyed by the floods.

The government has allocated 1 billion Kenyan Shillings (7.5 million USD) for school reconstruction.

The reopening of schools has been postponed due to ongoing heavy rains and floods that have claimed over 200 lives.

President Ruto outlined plans to address future flooding through his Affordable Housing project, which aims to construct 20,000 houses for residents of informal settlements.

He emphasized the project’s role in providing dignified dwellings and safeguarding riparian lands.

However, meteorological reports indicate a grim outlook with no end in sight for the rain and floods. 

Over 150,000 displaced people are living in camps across Kenya, with evacuation orders issued for areas near dams and reservoirs at capacity.

Historic water levels in major hydroelectric dams pose a risk to downstream communities, prompting warnings along the Tana River.

The government has faced criticism for its response to the floods.

Meanwhile, neighboring Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia are also grappling with flooding, with over 155 reported dead in Tanzania following Cyclone Hidaya.