President William Ruto on Thursday announced that Kenyans living in low lying areas already marooned by floods or running the risk be evacuated as soon as possible.
Speaking during the launch of Bunge Towers, Ruto indicated that the evacuations would be done even if the homeowners resisted.
He added that he had also directed the National Youth Service (NYS) to provide land for those who have been evacuated from their homes.
The President asserted that the measures were aimed at safeguarding lives adding that the directive was issued after he met with various leaders of county governments scrambling to mitigate against the floods.
"This morning I have authorised NYS to provide land for those who are living in dangerous areas so that they can be moved to safer ground as we decide on what to do with them.
"Unfortunately, we will have to move some of them if they do not agree because they put themselves in danger," he stated.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has unveiled new measures aimed at mitigating the effects of the ongoing floods.
In a statement, motorists were directed to avoid driving in flooded areas given that some vehicles had been carried away by water in recent days.
"Motorists and pedestrians are urged to cease and desist from risky behaviour in flooded or overly wet areas.
"The National Police Service (NPS) is coordinating search and rescue operations by land and air, and the Kenya Red Cross is supplementing the measures. The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has also been directed to step up its response operations," read the statement in part.
The CS added that various departments were already mobilising food and household items to assist those who have been displaced by the floods.
Plans to protect property, crops and livestock from damage during the ongoing rains have also been rolled out.
"The public is urged to cooperate with safety, health, risk, emergency and communication teams dispatched to monitor, report and oversee help to those who may be in distress.
"The Meteorological Department and Road Agencies are providing regular public advisories on areas likely to be affected by torrential rain," read the statement in part.
Meanwhile, Kenya Met has projected for the heavy rains to continue in parts of the country in the coming days.
Notably, Nairobi is one of those areas that will also experience thunderstorms. The city is one of the areas that had been greatly affected by the floods.
In estates such as Mathare and Kilimani, residents have been forced to seek alternative residences after their homes were marooned by the floods.
