- He noted even as they do this, he will later on in the day have a meeting with the multi-agency team, to ensure they provide enough support to all the affected.
- He added that citizens prone to the dangers of floods will have to move, whether they want to or not.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
President William Ruto has now directed the National Youth Service (NYS) to provide land for people living in flood-affected areas.
Speaking on Thursday, Ruto said Kenyans living in dangerous areas will be moved to the land provided by NYS as the government plans on what to do.
"Even as we get the blessing of the rains we also have seen floods in many parts of the country, many Kenyans are going through difficult times," the President said.
"This morning I have authorised the National Youth Service to provide land for those people who are living dangerously in some of the areas for them to be moved from those areas into some safe ground as we decide what to do with them next," the President said.
He noted even as they do this, he will later on in the day have a meeting with the multi-agency team, to ensure they provide enough support to all the affected.
He added that citizens prone to the dangers of floods will have to move, whether they want to or not.
"I will be having another emergency session with our multi-agency teams to make sure we provide adequate support to those in need and to move citizens who are in dangerous areas that may be susceptible to floods and unfortunately we may have to move some of them even without them agreeing."
The President further said that he engaged the leaders of the affected counties on Wednesday as the meeting resulted in the mobilisation of multi-agency teams.
Ruto said the Ministry in charge of special programs is also coordinating food and other amenities to support those in need.
"We have mobilised our military, and members of the National Government are working with counties to support those in distress," he said.
On Thursday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki directed the National Police Service to conduct search and rescue operations by land and air, as floods continue to wreak havoc across the country.
Kindiki said the police will work together with the Kenya Red Cross, alongside other state departments in the multi-agency operation, including the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS).
The CS said all available resources have been deployed to address the flood situation in the country.
"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," Kindiki said.
The CS has also directed County Security Teams across the country to work in tandem with County Government officials to ensure compulsory evacuation of those at risk.