Mandatory evacuations in risky areas start in 24 hours – Kindiki

Interior and National Administration CS Prof Kithure Kindiki has urged residents living in flood high risk areas to voluntarily vacate immediately.

In a statement on Thursday, Kindiki said failure to move will result in mandatory evacuation of the individuals after the next 24 hours.

He said the evacuations will be conducted strictly between 6am to 6.30pm.

"It is hereby ordered that all members of the public residing within the following high risk fragile ecosystem areas vacate the said areas immediately and in any case within 24 hours effective today, May 2, 2024 at 1830 hours, failing which they will be subjected to mandatory evacuation for their safety," the CS said.

"Mandatory evacuation of affected persons shall be carried out strictly between 0600 hours and 1830 hours, and, for the avoidance of doubt, no mandatory evacuation shall be carried out at night." 

Kindiki said high risk areas include areas prone to landslides or mudslides, settlements close to filled up public or private dams or other water reservoirs, and settlements within riparian land along rivers and other water courses.

He said such areas have recorded the most human fatalities, destruction of family and business premises, death of livestock and destruction of crops.

The Interior CS said the government has put in place adequate measures to provide temporary shelter as well as food and non-food essential supplies to all those that will be affected by the orders.

"National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) are directed to work with county governments, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the process of notification, vacation or mandatory evacuation, as well as provision of temporary shelter, food and non-food essential supplies, is carried out in a timely, humane and effective manner." 

Kindiki noted that even as the government continues to upscale its interventions to mitigate the effects of the ongoing torrential rains, weather forecast reports indicate that the rains will persist in intensity and duration.

He further warned that the situation could get dire, hence the need to take precaution.

As of Thursday, the death toll from the floods stood at 188. The number is expected to rise.

So far, 90 people are registered as missing while 125 people have been reported injured.

The number of displaced households is 33,100, affecting approximately 165,500 people.

In total, at least 196,296 people have been impacted by the heavy rains.

At least 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods.