In the past 24 hours, an additional 22 people lost their lives in Kenya due to heavy rains and floods, bringing the total death toll to 210, with 90 individuals still missing. Kenyan President William Ruto, speaking from the State House in Nairobi, confirmed this grim update and warned of the potential impact of Cyclone Hidaya, expected to hit the coastal areas, exacerbating the situation with more rainfall.
As a precautionary measure, President Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to close all schools until further notice. The ongoing floods have displaced over 165,000 people, leading to the closure of several roads, including a section of the highway to Kitengela city.
The search and rescue efforts have been bolstered by military personnel aided by rescue dogs, while the Red Cross is actively involved in rescuing tourists stranded in Narok, located 215 kilometers from Nairobi.
To alleviate the burden on affected families, the Kenyan government has pledged to cover all hospital expenses for flood victims and reduce their financial debt.
Neighboring Tanzania has also been grappling with the devastating effects of heavy rains, floods, and landslides, resulting in the loss of at least 155 lives. Authorities fear the casualty count may rise as rescue operations continue in both countries, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated response efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing natural disaster.
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