Human Rights Watch Knocks Kenyan Government’s Response To Floods

The Kenyan Human Rights Watch have criticized authorities for the delayed response meted to the ongoing floods that have claimed the lives of over 170 individuals since the onset of the rainy season.

The rights group stressed that “despite warnings from the meteorology department that there would be increased rainfall attributed to El Niño until early this year, Ruto stated in October that the country had been spared by the weather pattern.”

The New York-based rights group said the government “has a human rights obligation to prevent foreseeable harm from climate change and extreme weather events and to protect people when a disaster strikes.”

Kenya and other regions in East Africa, have been grappling with overwhelming floods that have displaced 150,000 individuals, causing them to seek refuge in numerous camps.

Previously, the government announced the allocation of at least 10 billion Kenyan shillings ($75 million) to prepare a nationwide response. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the utilization of the funds, with critics accusing the government of misappropriation.

In response to the looming threat of further rain across the country throughout May, the government directed residents living in flood-prone areas to either relocate voluntarily or face forced evacuation.