The Cabinet approved a new bill Tuesday, making county emergency funds mandatory across Kenya. President Ruto led the meeting, during which officials agreed that local governments need money ready for future disasters. This comes after the 2023 El Niño rains showed major gaps in how counties handle emergencies. Officials discussed the plan at an economic council session last August before moving forward.
The severe 2023 floods killed 174 people nationwide - 133 adults and 41 children. Over half a million Kenyans lost their homes when the waters rose. The government sent more than 4,600 metric tons of food to help families who had nothing left. By early 2024, most people returned home, but about 15,000 families still lived in 79 temporary camps.
Floodwaters blocked many important roads and highways. Water damaged has affected almost 8,000 schools and 49 health centers, making it hard for people to get medical care. Farmers lost crops worth about Sh16.26 billion when floods ruined nearly 85,000 acres of farmland. The disaster also washed away thousands of goats and sheep.
The severe 2023 floods killed 174 people nationwide - 133 adults and 41 children. Over half a million Kenyans lost their homes when the waters rose. The government sent more than 4,600 metric tons of food to help families who had nothing left. By early 2024, most people returned home, but about 15,000 families still lived in 79 temporary camps.
Floodwaters blocked many important roads and highways. Water damaged has affected almost 8,000 schools and 49 health centers, making it hard for people to get medical care. Farmers lost crops worth about Sh16.26 billion when floods ruined nearly 85,000 acres of farmland. The disaster also washed away thousands of goats and sheep.
