Fatshimetrie recently reported on the terrible flooding that hit the city of Nairobi following heavy rains. These floods had dramatic consequences, affecting many residents and causing considerable damage in the urban areas of the Kenyan capital.
Faced with this emergency situation, Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged to provide emergency financial assistance to every household affected and displaced by the floods in Nairobi. During a visit to affected areas of the capital’s densely populated slums, Ruto promised to pay a sum of 10,000 Kenyan shillings (US$75) to each affected family and affirmed his commitment to rebuilding all schools destroyed by the floods.
Speaking to the crowd, the president also announced the setting aside of one billion Kenyan shillings (US$7.5 million) to rebuild all flood-affected schools before the planned reopening of schools. This decision led to the postponement of the reopening of schools planned for this week, given the persistent bad weather and floods which have already caused more than 200 deaths.
Ruto then highlighted his flagship affordable housing project as a solution to ending flood-related displacement in the future. He announced the construction of 20,000 housing units to help Nairobi’s population living in slums, stressing that this was aimed not only at providing dignified housing for residents, but also at protecting riverside land to avoid future crises. .
The president’s speech underscored the urgency of the situation, citing alarming weather reports that predict no respite from the coming rains and floods. The Kenyan government has also ordered the evacuation of populations living near 178 dams and reservoirs that are full or on the verge of overflowing, with the threat of forced displacement for those who refuse to leave.
These floods have had repercussions beyond Kenya’s borders, with more than 155 people dying in Tanzania and hundreds affected in Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia. The region is facing a major humanitarian crisis, highlighting the scale of the damage caused by extreme weather conditions.
In this context, it is crucial that the Kenyan authorities and neighboring countries intensify their efforts to help the affected populations, strengthen measures to prevent natural disasters and put in place sustainable policies to face these growing climate challenges. It is essential to place the protection of populations and the environment at the heart of priorities, working together to build resilient societies in the face of future climate hazards.