Kenyan Schools to Reopen on Monday

President William Ruto has issued a directive for all schools in Kenya to reopen on Monday, May 13, 2024.

This comes as a relief after a prolonged period of heavy rains that caused significant disruptions to the academic calendar. The decision was made after consultations with the Kenya Meteorological Department which indicated that the intense rainfall has subsided paving the way for a safe return to classrooms. In preparation for the reopening, the Kenyan government has allocated resources through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to facilitate the repair of classrooms and other learning facilities that were damaged by the floods.

This approach aims to ensure that students can resume their studies in a conducive environment. Initially, schools were scheduled to reopen on April 29, 2024, but the reopening date was postponed to May 6, 2024, due to the disruptions caused by the heavy rains. However, President Ruto subsequently directed the Ministry of Education to indefinitely postpone the reopening of all schools in response to the flooding crisis caused by the incessant heavy rains. The Ministry of Education's decision to further delay the reopening was based on meteorological reports that predicted continued and intensified rainfall for the remainder of the month and possibly beyond.

The situation remains critical with more than 228 people having lost their lives due to the floods, thousands more injured, and over 227,238 people affected across the country since March, when heavy rains associated with El Niño began. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki reported that 72 people remain missing, and 42,526 households have been displaced, impacting approximately 212,630 individuals. Authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens during this challenging period.

With the rains now subsiding, parents are urged to prepare their children for the resumption of classes on May 13, 2024. Meanwhile, the government has declared Friday, May 10, a public holiday in honour of National Tree Planting Day and as a tribute to those who have died in the recent floods. Speaking at State House in Nairobi today, President William Ruto stated that the day would signify the beginning of an important tree-planting campaign to combat climate change. In addition, the day would also serve as a time to reflect on those impacted by the floods.