Government to distribute food, financial aid to flood victims

Residents of Kitengela and Athi River stranded in floods after River Athi Busted its banks.
(Peterson Githaiga, Standard)

The government has begun deploying food and financial aid to members of the public affected by floods in several parts of the country.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said that the operation is in line with a directive from President William Ruto.

"All available financial and human resources as well as public equipment are being deployed to mitigate the adverse effects of the raging waters on life, livestock, crops, and property," said Kindiki in a statement on Thursday, April 25.

The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) at the Ministry on Thursday stepped up the coordination of multi-agency response measures aimed at offering support to affected persons.

In the operation, the National Police Service (NPS) has been tasked with coordinating search and rescue operations by land and air, supplementing with the Kenya Red Cross support.

Similarly, the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has also been directed to step up its response operations.

The Meteorological Department and Road Agencies are to provide regular public advisories on areas likely to be affected by torrential rain.

CS Kindiki further directed County security teams to work with county government officials to ensure mandatory evacuation of those at risk.