Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed security agencies to ban beach activities at the coast ahead of the anticipated Cyclone Hidaya.
In an advisory issued by the Ministry on Saturday, May 4, Kindiki directed County Security and Intelligence Committees to enforce the ban on swimming, fishing and non-essential transport.
As detailed by the CS, the ban will be enforced beginning Saturday at 5 pm.
Further, the security teams in the counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu were also directed to evacuate Kenyans who live near water bodies.
"Accordingly, the County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu Counties in collaboration with the Kenya Coast Guard Service(KCGS) are directed to immediately issue notices and to strictly enforce a ban on beach activities, fishing, swimming, non-essential transport within Kenya’s territorial waters
"Evacuate settlements deemed too close to the shoreline effective today, May 4, 2024, at 5.00 pm up to and until midnight on Monday, May 6, 2024, when Cyclone Hidaya is expected to expire," Kindiki directed.
Kindiki noted that the move was necessary so as to safeguard the lives of Kenyans. According to the advisory, Cyclone Hidaya will pose risks for lives and properties.
"The Cyclone could generate massive precipitation with strong winds and powerful waves capable of significantly disrupting normal activities within Kenya’s territorial waters in the Indian Ocean as well as human settlements along the Kenyan Coast," read the advisory in part.
"As a precautionary measure, activities within Kenya’s territorial waters, along the beaches and within settlements adjacent to the shoreline will have to be disrupted for public safety reasons."
Cyclone Hidaya hit parts of Tanzania on Saturday which caused massive blackouts.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that the effects of Cyclone Hidaya such as strong winds, have already been witnessed at the coast.
"The effects of the cyclone are already being felt offshore, with strong winds exceeding 40 knots (20.6 m/s) and large waves surpassing two meters. The Department will continue monitoring the situation and issue updates as necessary," Kenya Met noted.
