Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said that Kenyans who force their way through flooded bridges will be charged with attempted suicide.
In a directive to County Security and Intelligence Committees on Monday, Kindiki called for the deployment of enforcement teams to all areas prone to flooding.
The CS said the deployed officers must prevent motorists and pedestrians from making dangerous crossovers in these flooded places.
He went on to say that should they defy the directive, the enforcement officer must arrest and charge such persons with attempted suicide or attempted murder.
"Deploy enforcement teams at urban and rural road spots prone to stormwater flooding and without bridges or where the water has breached the bridge to prevent motorists or pedestrians from dangerous crossovers and to arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide and/or attempted murder as the facts of the case may be," Kindiki said.
On Monday, Kindiki also ordered the arrest of any individuals who will be transporting passengers across flooded rivers or stormwater using unsafe canoes or boats.
He said such people are taking advantage of the situation to make money from persons in distress.
"Arrest inexperienced and unscrupulous persons taking advantage of the prevailing situation to cash in on persons in distress."
Kindiki noted that the government is deeply concerned by the loss of life and destruction of public and private property resulting from the ongoing floods.
He assured that the state is coordinating all relevant agencies to prevent further loss of lives and property, and to support all those who have been affected by the ongoing torrential rains.
So far, Kenya has lost 103 people due to the flooding across the country.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the number of casualties could be higher since the figure did not include the Mai Mahiu tragedy where at least 42 people have been confirmed dead.
Last week, the government set up a multi-agency emergency response team to coordinate rescue, and relief support to all Kenyans, amid the ravaging floods.
