Kenya: President Ruto addresses nation, calls for unified response on flood crisis

President William Ruto of Kenya has addressed the nation, in response to the escalating crisis posed by heavy floods.

Amid mounting pressure to declare the floods a national disaster, President Ruto delivered a speech, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

In his address, President Ruto expressed condolences for the lives lost and the countless individuals displaced by the relentless rains, which have claimed the lives of at least 188 people since March. He emphasized the urgent need for a unified response to confront the challenges posed by the ongoing disaster.

The President’s speech comes in the wake of a warning issued by the cabinet, alerting the nation to the looming threat of a cyclone in the coastal region.

The cyclone is anticipated to bring heavy rainfall, towering waves, and fierce winds, further exacerbating the already dire conditions.

During his address, President Ruto echoed the cabinet’s acknowledgment of above-average rainfall across the country. Consequently, the government has ordered immediate evacuations for residents living near 178 dams and reservoirs, urging them to seek safety promptly.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s appeal to declare the floods a national disaster has been noted, with President Ruto pledging to explore avenues for international support to mitigate the crisis.

The neighboring nation of Tanzania, grappling with its own flood-related fatalities, is also bracing for the impact of Cyclone Hidaya.