Kenya Postpones School Reopening After Floods Claim Over 70 Lives

Due to severe flooding that has resulted in the loss of over 70 lives, Kenya has decided to delay the reopening of schools for the second term by one week. Initially set to resume today (Monday), classes will begin on May 6, as announced in a statement by Dr Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

According to the statement, the Ministry had instructed its officials to assess the readiness of schools nationwide for the scheduled reopening amidst heavy rains.

However, reports received at the Ministry of Education, corroborated with data from other relevant government agencies, showed that the rains have adversely affected several schools in various regions of the country.

The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities.

“Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024,” the statement read.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by the rains, the Ministry assured the public of its commitment to addressing the situation.

“In the meantime, the Ministry will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to put in place measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains and provide regular updates on all developments as pertain to the education sector,” Machogu assured.

The heavy rains, attributed to the El Nino weather pattern, have been relentless since March, resulting in casualties and displacements across the country. Flash floods have submerged roads and communities, affecting thousands of households. The flooding has significantly affected Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, with nearly one-third of public schools bearing the brunt of the impact.

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