In Kenya, weather alerts are being stepped up as Cyclone Hidaya prepares to hit the coast in 48 hours. Since March, Kenya has been hit by violent rains, linked to the El Nino phenomenon, which have hit the country again in recent days. This Friday, May 3 in the morning, the latest report from the Ministry of the Interior stood at 210 dead, 90 missing and 195,000 people affected. Accused of mismanagement and lack of foresight, Kenyan President William Ruto has just announced new measures.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Gaëlle Laleix
The Kenyan president recognizes it: the country has never faced such a natural disaster. Hidaya will be the first cyclone to hit the Kenyan coast.
The presidential cabinet met three times this week to provide a response plan. President William Ruto then introduced him.
“ The government has identified 178 dams and reservoirs which are already full and present an imminent danger to neighboring populations, he said. Areas prone to landslides and mudslides in several counties have been reported as “extremely dangerous” and must be evacuated. Relocation notices have been issued: the actions we are taking today are intended to respond to the emergency, but if we are to face this threat in the long term, we must recognize climate change and act to reverse its effects. »
Other measures announced: the deployment of the army and the police, to supervise evacuations and distribute humanitarian aid. The start of the school year has also been postponed again, this time until further notice. However, the president has still not declared the status of “ natural disaster “.