Kenya announced on Monday that the reopening of schools would be postponed by one week due to persistent heavy rains causing deadly floods in the East African nation.
Originally scheduled to resume on Monday after mid-term holidays, the reopening has been postponed due to the impact of torrential monsoon downpours on numerous educational facilities. Education Minister Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the severity of the devastation caused by the rains, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures before learners and staff return to schools.
“In light of this assessment, the Ministry of Education has decided to delay the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024,” Machogu stated in a release.
The heavy rains, intensified by the El Nino weather pattern, have claimed the lives of 76 people in Kenya since March. Flash floods have submerged roads and neighborhoods, displacing over 130,000 individuals across 24,000 households, particularly in the capital Nairobi, according to government reports released on Saturday.
