Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has made the decision to delay the reopening of schools, originally planned for next week, indefinitely due to the ongoing devastation caused by floods, which have claimed over 200 lives. In his recent state of the nation address, President Ruto emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing to alarming meteorological forecasts, including the looming threat of Cyclone Hidaya hitting coastal regions in the near future, as reported by AP.
The country, along with other parts of East Africa, continues to grapple with the aftermath of extensive flooding, resulting in the displacement of more than 150,000 individuals who are now residing in makeshift camps across Kenya. Originally slated for this week, the reopening of schools has been pushed back by the Ministry of Education for an additional week. However, with some educational institutions still submerged and others severely damaged, a concrete timeline for resuming classes remains uncertain. Compounding the crisis, displaced persons have sought refuge in schools, further complicating the government’s efforts to manage the situation.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders to residents living near 178 dams and reservoirs, many of which are at or near full capacity, to mitigate the risk of further catastrophe. The heightened water levels, particularly along the Tana River where two major hydroelectric dams have reached unprecedented highs, have prompted urgent warnings to communities downstream.
Beyond Kenya’s borders, neighboring Tanzania has also suffered significant losses, with over 155 fatalities reported, while anticipation grows for the potential impact of Cyclone Hidaya on coastal areas. The ripple effects of the flooding have extended to Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia, where hundreds more have been affected, underscoring the regional scale of the disaster.
