Ruto Changes Tune on El Nino

Saturday, November 25, 2023 –President William Ruto has made an about-turn following the pounding of heavy rains across the country.

Meeting various multi agency teams at the Statehouse for Disaster Response in Nairobi on Saturday November 25, President Ruto announced that his administration is in high gear of deliberations to ensure no more destruction occurs in parts of the country due to the ongoing El Nino rains.

He stated that the team which is meeting at the Statehouse is tasked with assessing, managing and providing accurate and timely leadership on the situation in the country.

“Following the precipitation of rains in the country, this has resulted in an emergency situation especially in Northern Kenya.

“Trucks are currently stuck everywhere with aids destined to various areas in the country,” he disclosed.

Dr. Ruto confirmed that, atleast, seventy people have since lost lives across Kenya because of these raging waters from El Nino rains.

Moreover, the head of State stated that, at least, 1,160 persons have also been displaced so far due to the occurrence.

“National Disaster centers are being rolled out including ministry of health department to coordinate all information from various parts to make sure adequate intervention measures are put in place.

“These interventions include opening of roads, fuel and food,” said the president.

The commander-in-chief noted also that medical and medical equipment, food and water was now necessary to save lives in affected areas.

President Ruto on sh 2 billion

In his speech, Ruto announced availing enough resources last week to the tune of sh 2 billion to help in the rescue and mitigation exercise.

“Last week, we availed resources to the ministries to make sure adequate food and care of about sh 2 b is ready to the affected parts,” he said.

He also said his team is busy working on numbers to mobilise more resources to make sure roads and pathways are opened across the country for quick response and accessibility during emergencies.

The president has also instructed the Kenya Defence Forces KDF to provide their air service facilities to airlift anything required on last mile delivery in flooding zones.

The National Youth Service NYS and the engineering department at KDF and road contractors across the country will be ready to provide emergency intervention services whenever required.

The Council of Governors

On a similar note, Ministry of Health will be working with the Council of Governors and the Red Cross to provide water treatment and disease outbreak management in all areas.

Meteorological department said these rains will continue until next years what has forced the government to prepare itself taking into the account how the road network, food, water, and medicine delivery situation.

Ruto’s Cabinet will again meet on Monday next week to deliberate on various recommendation on the El Nino subject.