Kenya has delayed the reopening of schools by one week due to ongoing flooding caused by heavy rains, as flood-related deaths in the East African country approach 100 since mid-March.
The Education Ministry stated that some schools remained severely affected by the flooding, with reports of over 100 schools inundated, some experiencing collapsed walls and roofs blown away.
Originally scheduled for Monday, the reopening of all schools will now take place on May 6.
The death toll from the flooding in Kenya stands at 93, with expectations of further fatalities following a boat capsising incident in northern Garissa county on Sunday night.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported rescuing 23 individuals from the boat, while more than a dozen remain missing.
The Meteorology Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall across the country amid the persistent downpours since mid-March.
The East African region is grappling with severe flooding due to heavy rains, with reports of 155 fatalities in Tanzania and over 200,000 people affected in neighbouring Burundi.
In Kenya, the capital city Nairobi has seen the highest number of deaths, according to police reports.
Over the weekend, Kenya’s main airport experienced flooding, leading to the diversion of some flights. Videos circulating online depicted a flooded runway, terminals, and cargo section.
Henry Kegoye, the airport’s manager, attributed the flooding to ongoing refurbishment work scheduled for completion in June.
He explained that heavy rains overwhelmed the temporary drainage system installed by the contractor.
The floods have affected over 200,000 individuals across Kenya, with homes in flood-prone areas submerged and residents seeking shelter in schools.
In response, President William Ruto has directed the National Youth Service to allocate land for a temporary camp to accommodate those impacted by the floods.
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