President William Ruto has directed all Kenyans living in riparian reserves to vacate within 48 hours from Wednesday, May 1.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 30 while visiting the victims of the Mahi Mahiu tragedy in Nakuru County, the President said the government will help Kenyans living in the riparian areas to vacate.
He noted that the decision to move Kenyans from the areas was arrived at during a Cabinet Meeting at State House on Tuesday Morning.
"We have agreed that all those living along the riversides, in what is called the riparian reserve, starting from tomorrow, we will issue them vacation notices. Forty-eight hours from tomorrow, everyone should have vacated that area in the whole of Kenya because we do not want to lose the lives of citizens. As things stand, we will continue to have rains and floods will worsen,” said President Ruto.
The Head of State also said the Cabinet resolved to ask Kenyans living in areas at risk of landslides and floods to vacate.
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“We will ask them to relocate, and we will assist them in moving their belongings so that we can save the lives of the citizens. This will be part of the government's plan to ensure that this relocation is implemented,” Ruto added.
According to a dispatch from State House, the Government has identified public spaces in various parts of the country where those affected will be given temporary shelter together with the provision of essential food and non-food supplies.
The Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development to fast-track the rollout of social housing to accommodate the many people living in the informal settlements and give priority to those who will be vacating the riparian area.
So far at least 170 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing heavy rainfall across the country that has caused flooding.
