NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared Friday a public holiday to mourn the 238 people who have died due to ongoing flooding. The president on Wednesday said the day will be observed by national tree planting activities to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Kenya, along with other parts of East Africa, have been overwhelmed by floods. More than 235,000 people are displaced and living in dozens of camps. President Ruto also announced the reopening of schools countrywide, after two weeks delay due to heavy rains that have destroyed hundreds of schools. The government had said more than 1,000 schools were affected by the heavy rains and flooding and set aside funds for renovations. The metrology department in its daily weather forecast has continued to predict moderate to heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. |
HK indie music collective Un.Tomorrow seeks community, historyIsraeli military says troops captured hundreds of fighters in Gaza hospitalDepartment of Conservation proposes 130 job cutsChris Hipkins says sick children shouldn't be at schoolTech industry plans for lowerPope skips Good Friday procession 'to preserve his health'Chinese state media demands British Museum return 23,000 cultural relicsIsrael Gaza: Journalists injured in alTourism in Brazil up 7.8% in 2023'Devastated': Widow pleads for late husband’s dream to be realised