By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has asked the government to consider moving forward the reopening of schools.
The schools are scheduled to open for the second term of the 2024 education calendar starting Monday, April 29, 2026.
But according to Wamalwa, with the current situation where several parts of the country are witnessing floods, it will be in the interest of the safety of children for the opening date to be postponed.
“We know the schools will be opening on Monday but based on the current situation, the government should consider postponing,” the former Cabinet Secretary said.
“The situation is very bad and most of those that have died are adults. With the schools opening, our children will be exposed to danger. If an adult has been swept away by the floods, what about our children,” he added.
The DAP-K leader further said the postponement will allow the government to make arrangements for the release of capitation to schools.
Last week, the government said it was assessing the flood situation before it makes any pronouncement as far as reopening of the schools is concerned.
As of Friday, at least 70 people had been confirmed dead due to the floods.
Kenya Red Cross and other government agencies have been working round the clock to ensure no Kenyan is trapped by floods.
Several have since been rescued.
On Sunday alone, the Kenya Red Cross said it rescued about 30 people in various parts of the country.
“Following the continued effects of floods across various parts of the country, our response efforts persist. Here in Garissa, our Red Cross team has just evacuated eight people to safety after they were marooned at Fast Farm in Bula Vumbi, Garissa Township Sub-county,” the agency said in an update on its verified X handle,
21 people including nine adults, twelve children, a dog and a cat, were rescued at Chokaa in Njiiru, Nairobi County.
