Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered people living in flood high risk areas to voluntarily vacate immediately.
In a statement on Thursday, Kindiki listed some of the areas across the country that pose a high risk to residents due to the ongoing heavy rains.
Among the listed areas are those prone to landslides or mudslides, settlements near public or private dams or other water reservoirs, and those within riparian land along rivers and other water courses.
”Accordingly, pursuant to the relevant provisions of the preservation of Public Security Act (Cap 57 of the Laws of Kenya), it is hereby ordered that all members of the public residing within the following high risk fragile ecosystem areas vacate the said areas immediately and in any case within 24 hours effective today, May 2, 2024 at 1830 Hours, failing which they will be subjected to mandatory evacuation for their safety,’’ the statement reads in part.
The listed areas are in 33 counties including Nairobi, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Meru, Makueni, Marsabit, Machakos, Nyandarua and Nyeri among others.
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While the government encourages voluntary vacation, Kindiki said all people who remain within the said areas will be mandatorily evacuated for their safety.
The CS said mandatory evacuation shall be carried out in the daytime between 0600 hours and 1830 hours.
He noted that the government has put in place adequate measures to provide temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies to all those who will be affected by the orders.
“National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) are directed to work with county governments, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the process of notification, vacation or mandatory evacuation, as well as provision of temporary shelter, food and non-food essential supplies, is carried out in a timely, humane and effective manner.”
This comes as the death toll from the floods hit 210 as of Friday, May 3, 2024. In addition, 90 people have been reported missing, 125 injured, and 33,100 households displaced.
Weather forecast reports indicate that the ongoing rains will persist in intensity and duration, and warns that the situation could get dire hence the need to take precautions.
