By Peter Ochieng
All schools across the country will be reopened on Monday, May 13th 2024 for the start of the second term.
President William Ruto made the announcement on Wednesday, when he held a meeting with grassroots’ leaders from Kajiado Central and Laikipia North, at State House Nairobi.
The Head of State’s decision is in light of improved weather forecasts, indicating a reduction in heavy rains that previously necessitated the postponement of school reopening, twice.
Schools were expected to reopen on Monday, 29th April 2024, before the date was pushed forward by a week due to heavy rains across the country. During his address to the nation last week, President Ruto put off the reopening indefinitely.
The Head of State has also announced that money for the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged by heavy rains, would be made available through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), in the 290 constituencies.
He thanked MPs Elijah Memusi and Sarah Korere for accepting to work with his administration.
“We applaud the Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi and his Laikipia North counterpart Sarah Korere for their courage to rise above partisan politics and agree to work with us. This is the time for us to unite and transform Kenya together.”
The number of people killed by flooding and other impacts of the heavy rains had risen to 238, the interior and national administration ministry said on Monday.
The rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country in recent weeks.
At least 164 people have been injured, while 212,630 have been displaced, the ministry added.