Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the inadequate response of Kenyan authorities to the devastating floods that have claimed over 170 lives since the beginning of the rainy season.
The government’s failure to effectively address the situation has been criticized by the New York-based rights group, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling human rights obligations in the face of climate change-induced disasters.
Despite an early warning issued by Kenya’s Meteorology Department prior to the rainy season, President William Ruto formed a response committee only after the death toll had reached nearly 100 due to flooding.
With East Africa, including Kenya, struggling to cope with the overwhelming floods, more than 150,000 individuals have been displaced and are currently residing in temporary shelter camps.
The government’s lack of preparedness and failure to learn from previous experiences have been highlighted, with the meteorology department predicting increased rainfall due to El Niño and the government reportedly misappropriating funds allocated for disaster response.
Recent tragic events in Mai Mahiu, where a river overflow claimed 45 lives and left over 80 individuals missing, have underscored the urgency for a more efficient government response to ongoing floods.
As further rain is forecasted for the coming months, the government has issued directives for residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate, stressing the importance of proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives.