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State sets up multi-agency centre at Nyayo House to monitor floods impact

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua flanked with members of the National Disaster Response Committee addressing the media at State House , Nairobi on April 25, 2024. Photo: DPCS

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Thursday, April 25, 2024

Daily alerts will be issued to inform the public of potential dangers, appealing for cooperation with government agencies and partners to save lives and livelihoods.

The government will establish an Agency Response Centre to monitor the impact of floods across the country.

Announcing State House, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the centre will be domiciled at Nyayo House.

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"The Agency Response Center, activated from 4 pm this afternoon, will monitor the situation nationwide and facilitate swift interventions," he said on Thursday.

To save lives and protect property, the DP noted that immediate interventions will be coordinated through this centre, with a focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and alternative settlement in extreme cases.

Highlighting the role of the National Youth Service (NYS), Gachagua noted that they will undertake the provision of shelter to the most vulnerable members of society, urging Kenyans to cooperate for their safety.

"In extreme cases, affected households will be provided with food or non-food items," the DP added.

In addition to that, daily alerts will be issued to inform the public of potential dangers, appealing for cooperation with government agencies and partners to save lives and livelihoods.

The Deputy President urged Kenyans to take responsibility for their safety while reassuring them of the government's commitment under the leadership of President William Ruto.

He insisted that the government will do whatever it takes to ensure Kenyans are protected from the negative impact of floods.

"We'll apply all the required resources to ensure that lives are not lost and the people of Kenya are protected from this disaster," Gachagua affirmed.

He, however, urged the public to exercise caution and relocate to higher ground when necessary.

"We appeal to the people of Kenya as the government intervenes to also take responsibility for their safety. Kenyans are requested to be careful and not to dare nature," the DP noted.

With forecasts predicting above-normal rainfall in the coming week, Gachagua announced that he will have another meeting with the National Disaster Response committee with all stakeholders, including development partners and humanitarian agencies.

On Wednesday, President William Ruto urged relevant ministries and agencies to handle flooding-related issues as soon as possible.

Ruto stated that the respective ministries will immediately intensify multi-agency response efforts."

In response to the escalating crisis caused by flood rains across the country, police will now take charge of rescue operations. Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kithure Kindiki on Thursday announced that the National Police Service (NPS) has been tasked with coordinating search and rescue efforts.

"The National Police Service is taking charge of search and rescue operations, utilising both land and air assets," he said on Thursday.

The CS also directed the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) to boost its response operations, as part of the government's efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods.