NAIROBI, Kenya: Kenya announced on Monday a one-week postponement of the reopening of schools due to ongoing heavy rains causing deadly floods across the country.
Originally scheduled to resume classes on Monday after mid-term holidays, the torrential monsoon downpours have severely affected many educational facilities, prompting the education ministry to prioritize safety.
Education Minister Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the severe impact of the rains on schools, deeming it unsafe to risk the lives of learners and staff without adequate safety measures in place. As a result, the reopening of all primary and secondary schools has been rescheduled to Monday, May 6, 2024.
Since March, Kenya has experienced intensified rains, leading to devastating floods and claiming the lives of 76 people. Flash floods have submerged roads and neighborhoods, displacing over 130,000 individuals across 24,000 households, with Nairobi particularly affected.
In response to the crisis, 64 public schools in Nairobi have been significantly impacted by flooding, exacerbating the challenges faced by educational institutions. Additionally, a tragic incident occurred in eastern Kenya on Sunday when a boat carrying numerous individuals capsized in flooded Tana River county, resulting in fatalities and rescues by the Kenya Red Cross.
The monsoon season has also inflicted widespread damage in neighbouring Tanzania and Burundi, with fatalities and displacement reported. Uganda has likewise experienced heavy storms, leading to fatalities and displacement of villagers.
These natural disasters underscore the disruptive impact of the El Nino weather pattern, which brings about increased rainfall and flooding in certain regions while causing drought in others. Kenya’s decision to postpone school reopening reflects the urgent need to prioritize safety amid the ongoing crisis.
