President William Ruto on Friday, May 3, directed the Cabinet Secretaries Mithika Linturi, Susan Nakhumicha and Kithure Kindiki to oversee the mitigation of the prevailing flood crisis.
President Ruto while issuing a national address at the state House in Nairobi, directed CS Linturi to spearhead the distribution of food supply to those affected by the floods in different parts of the country.
According to the head of state, the food distribution is to be done through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
“The Ministry of Agriculture through the NCPB is directed to make available food supply in govt stores to support this effort,” Ruto announced.
The Ministry of Health was directed to work with development partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO) the Kenya Redcross and other development partners to help those affected by the floods.
CS Nakhumicha was tasked with mobilising resources and logistical support through the help of the development partners to avail essential drugs, food and other medical supplies to those affected.
"Cabinet Secretaries will spearhead disaster response and mitigation efforts across the country," Ruto directed.
"To this end, Ministries, Departments and Agencies are directed to work closely with the National Disaster Operations Center and Security Agencies to ensure the whole of government approach to the management of the prevailing crisis."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior was directed to help in the relocation and evacuation of the affected members of the public.
In the new directive, the Interior Ministry was also directed to forcefully evict Nairobians who live and have built their houses on riparian land by Friday, May 3, 6 pm.
CS Kindiki was further ordered to identify potential sites for temporary shelter for displaced persons and lead the overall support programme.
"I saw in Dandora, Nairobi County, citizens themselves voluntarily removing their structures, carrying their furniture and looking for places to store them, it is an encouraging development," Ruto noted.
