The National Anzauni Patron and Kyalo Kya Maendeeo founder Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli has expressed fear that the Ministry of Education has not put the right measures ahead of school reopening on Monday 13, 2024 announced by President William Ruto mid this week.
According to the clan elder who commands a following of over 400,000 clan members, the flooding crisis caused by the incessant heavy rains continue to be witnessed in several counties in the country as meteorological reports paint a dire picture and cautioned the Ministry of Education on putting on hold the return to school date until the rains subside.
“We dont want to be at cross roads when our children start reporting back to school next week and the clouds are still heavy. The Ministry of Education together with Interior needs to put the right measures of children are safe on their way and once they get there. As for now , we are not confident enough to let them go ‘”Said Dr Muli
Dr Muli’s remarks comes barely hours after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced that some schools in Tana River, Homa Bay and Kisumu counties may not re-open on Monday as directed by the Head of State.
According to the CS, these areas continue to experience flood-related challenges and will require a lot more repairs before learning resumes.
He said they are still receiving the names of the affected schools and will give a comprehensive list when they have it.
Schools were originally scheduled to reopen on April 29, 2024, but due to disruptions caused by the heavy rains, the reopening date was pushed back to May 6, 2024.
However, President Ruto on Friday last week directed the Ministry of Education to postpone the reopening of all schools indefinitely following
“The Ministry of Education is directed to postpone the re-opening dates of all schools in the country for the second term until further notice, as meteorological reports paint a dire picture. The rains will continue and increase in both duration and intensity for the rest of this month and possibly after,” He Said.
Atleast 228 people have so far died as a result of the floods, with thousands more injured and others displaced from their homes.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said more than 227,238 people have been affected by flooding across the country since March when heavy rains linked to El Niño began.
In addition, 72 people remain missing in various incidents across the country and 42,526 households have been displaced, affecting some 212,630 people.
