The president, criticized by local officials in the affected regions, defended his Government’s actions in front of reporters and said that this meeting would look for new ways to help those affected by the floods.

Ruto has not declared the floods a national disaster but added that his first task is to confirm that the damaged areas will have what they need.

The Government stated that floods have killed 169 people in the country this month, which could rise significantly with Monday’s tragedy when a river burst its banks and swept away hundreds of homes.

The El Niño meteorological phenomenon has already hit other East African countries, including Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with torrential rains.

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