Ruto: Military to assist in floods relief efforts

Deputy President William Ruto helps load relief food to Isiolo and Tana River affected floods.  [PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

By  Roselyne Obala

NAIROBI, KENYA: Sixty-three people have died while more than 34,000 displaced by floods following the raging rains pounding parts of the country, the Government has confirmed.

Deputy President William Ruto also revealed that President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the military to participate in evacuating affected persons and supply of foodstuffs.

The Deputy President, who spoke while flagging off five tonnes of foodstuffs and non-food items at Moi Air Base Eastleigh, admitted that the rains have caused devastating destruction in most parts of the country.

The supplies will be airlifted to the affected areas after rains cut off roads.

The areas seriously affected by the heavy rains include Turkana, West Pokot, Tana River, Kisii, Migori, Garissa, Mandera, Isiolo and Kilifi.

“In this regard, starting Thursday morning, the Government is using Kenya Defence Forces planes to airlift relief foods to Isiolo and Tana River counties,” he said.

Mr Ruto stated that as a result of the rains, some roads have been completely cut off and bridges washed away thereby interfering with humanitarian efforts.

He at the same time disclosed that the Government has set aside Sh100 million to assist those affected.

“The situation requires urgent Government attention as rains continues to wreak havoc in various part of the country,” he said, adding other areas also affected like Nyando, Nyatike and Taita Taveta will all be covered.

He continued: “As a Government, we have put in place plans to tackle the situation to ensure all citizens affected are assisted.”

Ruto said the Government has so far secured and distributed 4,000 bags of maize, 14,000 bags of rice, 6,800 bags of beans, 2,100 cartons of cooking oil and 100 bales of food supplements.

“The non-food items include 2,300 blankest, 1,100 tarpaulins and 450 cartons of soap,” he said. He added, “We have dispatched additional relief food to Turkana, Kilifi, Isiolo and Tana River counties as well as 1,000 iron sheet to Isiolo County.”

He also assured those affected that the Government would meet funeral costs of the deceased.