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Government to Cover Funeral and Medical Costs for Flash Flood Victims
The government has announced it will cover funeral expenses and medical bills for victims of the recent flash floods across the country. Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, said the state will provide up to Ksh 200,000 in funeral costs for each affected family. The support is aimed at easing the financial burden on families who have lost loved ones during the disaster.
Ruku’s update follows public criticism of the handling of the floods, including comments from former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. Sonko accused some politicians of politicising the crisis instead of prioritising relief for the affected people. He pledged personal support to families by providing coffins and transport costs for transferring bodies to their rural homes for proper burial ceremonies.
On March 9, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration reported that 27 bodies were pending identification and postmortem at the Nairobi City Mortuary. These included 22 males, three females, and two children. Authorities urged families searching for missing relatives or friends to visit the mortuary to identify their loved ones.
The National Police Service confirmed that as of the evening of March 10, the death toll from the heavy rains had risen to 49 nationwide. The flooding has affected thousands of families, displacing residents and destroying property in multiple counties.
Ruku explained that preventing the impact of such floods is complex and goes beyond mere preparedness. He highlighted that, despite timely and accurate warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department, the heavy rains still caused widespread devastation. According to Ruku, areas with dense vegetation experience only about 20 to 30 percent of rainfall as runoff, underscoring the importance of environmental management in flood mitigation.
The government’s decision to cover funeral and medical costs has been welcomed by residents and civil society groups. While criticism of the government’s response continues, the financial assistance is expected to provide immediate relief to families struggling to cope with the losses. Ruku emphasised that the state will continue monitoring affected areas and implementing measures to reduce further risk from ongoing rains.
As the nation mourns the victims, authorities continue to urge vigilance and preparedness, while coordinating with local leaders to ensure affected communities receive timely support. The recent flash floods have highlighted the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies alongside public awareness campaigns to reduce loss of life in future emergencies.
