Kenya delays school reopening as flood death toll rises

The Kenyan government has postponed the reopening of schools by a week due to the ongoing floods that have killed more than 80 people so far. 

Data shows schools across the country have been adversely affected by the floods, Education Minister Ezekiel Machogu said in a statement late on Sunday. 

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place,” the minister added. 

All schools, which were scheduled to open for the second term on 29 April, will now open on 6 May.

Some schools are hosting people who have been displaced by the floods. 

As of Saturday, the confirmed death toll from floods had risen to 83 after 13 more bodies were recovered in different parts of the country. The death toll is likely to increase as the rains continue to pound the country. 

More than 130,000 people have been displaced by the floods, the authorities said, with dozens others reported missing.

Kenya and other countries in East Africa have been affected by severe downpours in recent weeks.

Nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Burundi, while at least 150 people have died in Tanzania.

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