Gov't Rules Out Delaying School Reopening Despite Heavy Rains, Floods: "We're Ready"

• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua affirmed that schools would reopen as planned despite widespread heavy rains and floods.
• The DP noted that decisions regarding individual schools would be made based on ground assessments by officials.
• Gachagua stated that schools might be temporarily closed to ensure safety in cases where necessary
• He outlined a flexible approach, indicating that holiday extensions could be considered based on recommendations from county and national government authorities

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that schools will reopen as planned despite heavy rains and floods across the country.

During a meeting with the National Disaster Response Technical Committee at his Karen residence on Friday, April 26, the DP insisted that the opening dates were unchanged.

However, Gachagua explained that the government would rely on officials on the ground to make some of their decisions.

He explained where the need arises then, the government would close the select schools to safeguard the security of the

"On a case by case, it will be analysed on its own merit. Where there is a need to extend the opening day, waziri education we can extend but otherwise, for the purpose of the country, the school will open as scheduled but where there are cases where the people on the ground; the county government and the national government administration make recommendations

We can always extend for a few days as things settle down. But in principle, the school reopening date remains the same subject to specific cases where they are reviewed and recommendations are made," he said.

What is the Kenya Meteorological Department's prediction?

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of heavier rains in the coming days.

The department urged Kenyans to stay prepared, adding that the rains would affect most parts of the city.

Other parts of the country would receive heavy rainfall exceeding 40mm in 24 hours.

Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley, Southeast Lowlands, coast, and northern sector from Thursday, April 25.

The intensity of the rain was expected to escalate to more than 50mm in 24 hours over the aforementioned regions from Friday, April 26 to Saturday, April 27.

Floods wreak havoc in Kenya

• Until April 25, floods had killed at least 35 people and destroyed unquantifiable amounts of property in most parts of the country.
• Mathare-based activist Benna Buluma is among 10 people who died in Mathare floodwaters following heavy rains.
• At least 690 households have been displaced by the flooding in parts of Homa Bay county as heavy rains persist.