The Cabinet has ordered all Kenyans living in flood prone areas to move within 48 hours in a bid to mitigate the effects of the ongoing rains.

Those affected are those living in areas near dams and other water reservoirs in public or private land, areas prone to mudslides and landslides and riparian lands along rivers and other water courses across the country.

The Government has identified public spaces in various parts of the country where those affected will be given temporary shelter together with the provision of essential food and non-food supplies.

Anyone affected by this directive will be notified by the end of day on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 this even as the government puts in place measures to support the evacuation and temporary shelter of those that will be affected.

Even as the Government encourages voluntary evacuation, all those who do not move as directed will be relocated forcibly in the interest of their safety.

In the Tuesday directive, all National Government Administration officers (NGAO) have been asked to work with county governments, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the process of notification, evacuation and shelter provision is carried out in a timely, humane and effective manner.

The Cabinet has also directed the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development to fast track the roll out of social housing to accommodate the many people living in the informal settlements, and giving priority to those that will be vacating the riparian area.

The ministry and county governments are expected to enumerate and document all the people that will be vacating the riparian areas.

This comes after President William Ruto on Tuesday morning convened a Special Cabinet meeting to deliberate on additional measures required to mitigate the effects of the ongoing torrential rains on life, property and livelihoods on the people of Kenya.

Also read; Raila Faults Government For Unpreparedness To Tackle Floods Crisis