The government is rolling out robust measures to mitigate the effects of floods in the country, President William Ruto has said.

The President said the government has adopted a “Whole of Government Approach” to ensure an effective response to the crisis following meteorological reports forecasting increased rainfall.

He said Cabinet Secretaries will spearhead disaster response and mitigation efforts across the country.

“Consequently, ministries, departments and agencies are directed to work closely with the National Disaster Operations Centre and security agencies to ensure purposeful management of the crisis,” he said.

Speaking during a National Address at State House Nairobi, President Ruto said the Treasury will provide adequate resources for the purchase and supply of food, medical equipment and other non-food items.

He said that coordination among the national and county governments, and development partners would significantly enhance disaster response and mitigation efforts nationwide.

“As the National Government plays its role in dealing with the current situation, I request county governments, development partners and the private sector to join the efforts,” he said.

President Ruto also announced that the Ministry of Education has been instructed to postpone school reopenings until further notice.

In addition, President Ruto directed county security committees to define the specific boundaries on riparian reserves so that those living there vacate.

“The county security committees are further directed to continuously monitor dams and other water reservoirs that may not be presenting a risk now but could do so in the event of more rains,” he said.

Additionally, the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service are deploying resources, personnel and equipment for coordinated public safety and mitigation operations.

“Security agencies are further directed to enlist the support of the National Youth Service and the National Government Administration officers to respond to this emergency, including ensuring timely, orderly and humane evacuation of all persons at risk,” he said.

The government, he pointed out, is working with stakeholders to ensure adequate provision of temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies.

He also asked MPs to re-organise their National Government Constituency Development Fund allocations and give priority to the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged by the floods and other forms of exteme weather.

He said the Kenya Meteorological Department and the IGAD Climate Prediction Applications Centre have warned that Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone.

“This cyclone, named Hidaya, could hit out shores any time now and is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds, and powerful and dangerous waves, which could potentially disrupt marine activities in the Indian Ocean and settlements along the Kenyan coast,” he said.

The President urged Kenyans in flood-prone areas to promptly relocate to safer grounds. He directed the Ministry of Interior to enforce relocation notices to prevent loss of life.

The President, however, said the measures being taken are aimed at responding to the current crisis in the immediate and short-term.

For the country to conclusively address the threats of climate change in the long term, the President explained, the country has to act and reverse the adverse effects of the existential phenomenon.

“I urge you, fellow citizens, to sustain and intensify your positive response to the ecosystem restoration plan, which aims to grow 15 billion trees natiionally in the next 10 years,” he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

Assistant to the Administrator (AtA) and Feed the Future Deputy Coordinator for Development Dina Esposito will attend the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summitin Nairobi, Kenya. While there, she will deliver remarks on U.S. efforts to strengthen food security and meet with foreign officials, other donor government leaders, and implementing partners to discuss the United States’ support in helping African countries adapt to the accelerating impacts of climate change on food security. She will also emphasize the vital role that smallholder farmers play in producing food.

AtA Esposito will underscore the critical role of African leadership in strengthening global food security and highlight the United States’ Feed the Future efforts to address global hunger, including through improving soil health.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Shells hit a displacement camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today, prompting aid workers to temporarily evacuate and resulting in up to 40 reported deaths and many others injured, with children among the casualties, Save the Children said.  

Save the Children, along with a local NGO partner, was present at the Lushagala camp this morning for the distribution of hygiene kits when a shell exploded approximately 30 metres ahead of their vehicle. The shell detonated near a bustling market within the overcrowded displacement camp outside of Goma.  

Community reports suggest about 40 people have been killed with many others injured, although Save the Children has not been able to independently verify this number. All of Save the Children’s staff and its local partner are accounted for.  

Greg Ramm, Country Director for Save the Children in the DRC said: 

“The reports from the camp are horrifying. Dozens of civilians have been injured, some have lost limbs.  Most of those injured are women and children.  Some of our staff and partner staff were briefly trapped inside the camp before quickly getting out to safety. However, thousands of children and families living in the camps do not have the same privilege of being able to leave for somewhere safer. A tent does not offer much protection from shelling.  

“What happened today is another grim reminder that the DRC continues to be one of the most dangerous places to be a child, and children and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of this crisis.  

“Protection of civilians, especially children and families living in displacement camps, must be priortised and support must be scaled up. More needs to be done, now, to reduce the use of these devastating weapons, especially so close to where children and their families are sheltering for safety. Save the Children is calling for all parties to the conflict to end the use of explosive weapons in the proximity of populated areas and ensure aid workers have immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to reach those who need it most.” 

Save the Children started working in the DRC in 1994 to meet humanitarian needs linked to the arrival of refugees and the displacement of populations due to armed conflict in eastern provinces. Save the Children has scaled up its humanitarian response to support existing care systems, training local leaders and communities to prevent and respond to exploitation and abuse, and ensuring access to healthcare through mobile clinics. It is also helping children access basic education by building classrooms, training teachers, and distributing learning materials. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

“ECOWAS and Algeria have agreed to hold regular discussions on the political and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the plight of irregular migrants”. This was the commitment made by H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ahmed ATTAF, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, at their meeting in Algiers on April 23-26, 2024.

Following an invitation from the Algerian authorities and an audience with Minister ATTAF, Dr Omar Alieu Touray expressed his satisfaction at the willingness and commitment of the Algerian authorities to contribute to resolving the problems and challenges facing the West African region and the Sahel.

The meeting enabled the two parties to share views and analyses on political and security developments in the region, and to examine ways of strengthening their coordination in the face of the common challenges facing the countries and peoples of the region.

At the end of their discussions, ECOWAS and Algeria have agreed (i) to have regular engagements and coordination of efforts aimed at finding a solution to the political and security crises in the region; and (ii) to maintain fraternal relations and commitments by all parties.

Algeria also expressed its willingness to discuss with ECOWAS proposals aimed at finding a solution for the safe and humane repatriation of irregular immigrants on its territory to their countries of origin.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).