Kenya: Ruto Activates Multi-Agency Response As Floods Hit Parts of Kenya

President William Ruto has activated a multi-agency response to address the severe flooding caused by heavy rains affecting various parts of Kenya. The government is fully mobilized to respond to the crisis, which has put lives and livelihoods at risk. The heavy rainfall began on Saturday evening and has led to significant disruptions, particularly in Nairobi, where flooding has severely impacted traffic and necessitated emergency responses from rescue teams across the city. The death toll from the flooding in Nairobi has risen to 23, with the overall fatalities across the country reaching at least 62, according to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. The ongoing heavy rains have resulted in extensive damage, with approximately 12,000 homes reported as damaged or destroyed. The situation has prompted urgent action from authorities to mitigate the impact of the floods on affected communities. In addition to the loss of life and property, the heavy rains have disrupted flights at Kenyatta International Airport, with several Kenya Airways flights being diverted to Mombasa due to adverse weather conditions. Rescue operations have also been initiated, including the overnight rescue of eleven individuals from a minibus taxi that became stuck in rising floodwaters in Nairobi. The government continues to monitor the situation and provide assistance to those affected by the flooding.