President William Ruto has declared Friday, May 10, 2024, as a national public holiday to honor and remember the victims of the devastating floods that have swept across the nation.

The decision comes in the wake of the nationwide flooding crisis that has claimed the lives of 238 individuals and left 75 people unaccounted for, according to official government statistics.

Addressing the nation during a meeting in Kajiado, President Ruto stated, “Friday, May 10, 2024, a day set to remember those that have been adversely affected by the ravages of climate change. Let us use the day to work towards improving our environment.”

The President further emphasized that the day will be dedicated to planting trees for climate change mitigation, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the environmental challenges contributing to the flooding.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura provided an update on the situation, revealing that 174 individuals are nursing critical injuries, and 47,000 households have been displaced. Nairobi, Nyanza, and the Eastern region have been the hardest hit, with a total of 209,957 affected individuals.

Mwaura reassured the public, stating, “The government has deployed varied mechanisms to handle the disaster and to manage the ongoing evacuations. The KDF and NYS have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations while the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) have been mobilized to assist residents to move to safer areas.”

President Ruto also announced measures to mitigate future disasters, including the relocation of individuals living in vulnerable areas and compensation for over 40,000 displaced households. Additionally, he confirmed a delayed school reopening to assess the impact of the floods on educational institutions and families.

The nation stands united in mourning the loss of lives and the ongoing struggle in the face of this natural disaster, as efforts continue to provide relief and support to those affected.