The Kenya Meteorological Department has now confirmed that the country is experiencing El Nino unlike earlier stated by President William Ruto.
Kenya Met Director David Gikungu cleared out the confusion stating that the country was experiencing El Nino. He apologized for the miscommunication that confused Kenyans.
“I want to point out that as initially given in the forecast, we have El Nino in this short rains season 2023 and we do apologize for the miscommunication because that was a big mistake but we are sorry about that,” he said.
“Moving forward let us prepare ourselves for the enhanced rainfall as a result of the El Nino phenomena that we are in.”
Gikungu made the sentiments after meeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who was in charge of the country’s preparedness for heavy rains.
In response, the DP said, “The matter is settled, El Nino it is”.
Ruto had earlier ruled out El Nino. He announced that the country would only receive heavy rains with minimum ravaging effects.
Ruto added that this will allow farmers to produce more to cushion the country’s food basket.
“You see the department has now said there will be no El-Nino, we will only have significant rains, which is even better for us to get to our farms and produce more,” Ruto said.
President Ruto also said the prayers for rains he conducted at the Nyayo National Stadium in February paid off, as the country has since had prolonged rains which have allowed farmers to produce more for the country.
“There are those who criticized us when we prayed for rains at Nyayo stadium. They said a whole president is praying for rain. Now see, we have more rains than we have had in four years, that is God’s doing,” Ruto said.
However, the heavy rains have caused massive destruction in Mandera North and Mandera East remain.
The floods have left a trail of destruction, deaths and displacement of people. Several roads have also been rendered impassable and farmlands destroyed.
Kenya Red Cross announced a total of 13,473 people residing in the North Eastern region have been displaced following the harsh impact of floods.
The organization said a total of 26,011 families have been affected following floods as a result of El Nino.
