Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Kenyans to be responsible and protect themselves and their families against the raging floods wreaking havoc in different parts of the country.
Addressing a congregation on Saturday, the DP stated that despite government efforts to mitigate the effects of the floods, every citizen should take responsibility for their safety by ensuring that they are not risking their lives.
Gachagua pinpointed that the majority of Kenyans were risking their lives trying to compete with nature. He particularly addressed the recent incident where six people were killed after their lorry was swept away by floods while attempting to cross the flooded Muswii River in Makueni county.
Also Read:
The DP said the move by the victims was reckless reiterating that Kenyans should avoid such risks that dare nature.
"Tunauliza watu wa Nairobi na watu wa Kenya pia wajichunge hata kama serikali inawasaidia, usiende kujitupa ndani ya maji. Nimeona kwa video watu huko kwa lorry imejaa, wanaona gari ingine imepelekwa na maji wanarudi kwa lorry wanaingiza ndani ya maji.
"Lazima kila mtu ajichunge, serikali haiwezi kuja kukuchunga kwako nyumbani, lazima wewe mwenyewe ujue ya kwamba uko na maisha yako ya kuchunga na uko na familia. Don't compete with nature, don't dare nature, itakuumiza, na vile tumeona people are daring nature, hapana shinda. Kwa hivyo mimi nauliza wakenya mahali wote wako wajichunge, tukisaidiana na serikali tungangane na hii janga ya mafuriko ambayo imetutatiza kiasi fulani," Gachagua said.
The latest comes amid growing concerns over the raging floods which continue to wreak havoc in different parts of the country.
So far, over 100,000 people have been displaced by the ongoing crisis while 24,000 households remain affected.
To mitigate the crisis, the government announced plans to temporarily relocate displaced people to higher grounds.
"The floods have submerged numerous settlements, displacing 24,196 households comprising approximately 131,450 people and endangering others. To address this, the government, in collaboration with its humanitarian partners, including the Red Cross, has set up 50 camps across the country.
"The government is also identifying higher grounds to house the displaced people temporarily. Kenyans residing in flood-prone areas, especially along riparian areas and along river banks, are advised to seek safer alternatives for immediate habitation," Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said.
Similarly, 76 people have died, 29 have been injured and 19 people have been reported missing since the onset of the rains in March.
"Since the onset of these rains, beginning March 1, 2024, we deeply regret to announce the tragic loss of an additional six lives in the last 12 hours, bringing the total to 76. The government sends its sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. 29 Kenyans have been injured, and 19 missing persons have been reported. Nairobi is currently experiencing the highest impact, with a significant death toll of 32 and 16,909 households displaced.
"The Kenya Coast Guard, National Police Service, and Kenya Defense Forces are collaborating to step up search and rescue services," Mwaura added.
