Kenya Cabinet Convenes As Flood Death Nears 170

Kenya President William Ruto has called for a special cabinet meeting to discuss the ongoing flooding crisis in the country.

About 169 people have been killed in floods that have devastated Kenya over the last month, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said.

He added that the death toll includes 45 people who died on early Monday morning after their villages were swept away near Mai Mahiu.

President Ruto defended his government’s flood response, following criticism from county governments that it was slow.

Mr. Ruto said the cabinet meeting on Tuesday would discuss additional measures on flood mitigation.

More than 130,000 people have been displaced by the floods, with many people taking shelter in schools.

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As of Monday evening, government figures showed that 166 people had died from flooding since heavy rains began in most of Kenya in March.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura told Citizen TV’s Monday Report program that over 60 people were confirmed dead on Monday alone.

This was in the wake of Monday morning’s dam burst incident where flash floods hit Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, and wiped out homes and vehicles, killing at least 48 people.