Floods In Kenya: Ruto Announces Sh10,000 Monthly Stipend For Victims

President William Ruto has today announced a monthly stipend for the households displaced by floods in Nairobi.

“Every household of the 40,000 households that have been displaced in Nairobi country, every household is going to be paid sh.10,000,” he announced in Kiamaiko where he addressed locals.

The stipend that will be distributed for the next three months comes as a surprise to residents who have been camping in churches, schools and community halls following heavy flooding and to avert possible deaths for those living in riparian land.

“We have a list of those who were evacuated, we will give them money for 3 months’ rent as the government looks for another alternative as we plan for their future as a government so that every Kenyan has a place to call home,” Ruto said.

Ruto said the government has set aside Sh1 billion for countrywide re-construction of schools damaged by floods.

The president said the government will be moving fast to put up new houses under his affordable housing program and the residents displaced will be prioritized.

“The government will next week advertise for the tender of affordable housing for Kiamako so we can put up 5,000 houses the riparian land that has now been vacated. The houses’ allocation will prioritize the displaced residents.” He said.

“In Kibera, we shall put up another 5,000 units and another 10,000 in Kasarani-Mwiki,” he added.

He said the occupants will only be required to part with Sh3,000 as monthly rent.

The president also assured of accountability vowing not to tolerate corruption in the project, “So that they can find alternative accommodation as we plan for their future as a government. So that every Kenyan has a home and a place to call home. Na nimesema hiyo pesa haitakuliwa na mabwenyenye.”

The activities shall be coordinated by National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), National Youth Services (NYS), National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officials.

The president gave private developers permission to put up higher apartments to address the rising demand for affordable housing.

“There was a time when building an apartment of more than 12 storeys was a problem, as the Commander-in-Chief, I declare that we can now build up to 25 or 30 floors so that many citizens can get accommodation,” he said.

The President was in the company of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, PS Raymond Omollo and his Housing counterpart Charles Hinga among other state officials.

Mathare was one of the areas massively affected by floodwaters in  Nairobi.

Several properties and lives were lost in Mathare as floodwaters swept through homes.