President William Ruto has deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to search for those missing after the Mai Mahiu flooding.
The KDF will work alongside police and NYS in the mission to retrieve bodies and search for survivors.
Speaking during a visit to flood victims in Mai Mahiu, Ruto promised that the victims would be given aid including food, medicine and other amenities.
“The military has been mobilized, the NYS and all security agencies have been mobilized to assist the citizens to avoid any further tragedies,” he said.
“Kama serikali, tutahakikisha watu wa Mai Mahiu wamepata msaada mbadala; watapewa chakula, madawa, blanketi na mattress ili tupunguze uzito ambao wako nayo,” Ruto added.
The president promised to provide shelter to the affected families. Ruto also pleaded with the flood victims not to move to flooded areas as danger was still there.
“All those living along rivers, what we call riparian reserves, we are giving notice from tomorrow, and we have made an announcement as government, because the way things are going, we will continue to have rains, and flooding will increase,” said Ruto.
“In the Cabinet meeting today, we agreed that we will take measures to safeguard the lives of Kenyans. Your property, houses, cattle, plants and food have been swept away but we will ensure you get the necessary support,”
“We have many people who are currently camping in schools, we have agreed to look for a place where you will stay as we look for a permanent solution,” he said.
The Mai Mahiu disaster has left 28 people missing and claimed the lives of 71 residents.
At least 169 people have died across Kenya as heavy rains hit the country since mid-March.
