President William Ruto has seemingly taken credit for the heavy rains that have been pounding the country for the last few weeks.
According to President Ruto, the heavy rainfall, that have occasioned floods leading to lose of lives and property in some parts of the country, are God’s answer to his prayers.
Speaking at the Priesthood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, Nairobi County, the President said he and his fellow Kenya Kwanza colleagues gathered at the Nyayo National Stadium in February 2023 and prayed for rains during a time when there was drought ravaging the country.
“We called for a prayer meeting at Nyayo Stadium because we wanted to pray to God for rains. Many people laughed at us, saying ‘look at them’ but this year, we have gotten miraculous rain. Is this true or not? This year, we got rains we never got in the last four years because praying to God is not a game,” said President Ruto.
His sentiments come in the wake of heavy rainfall in most parts of the country that have resulted in tens of deaths across the country due to flash floods. So far, 70 deaths have been reported across the country, with many more displaced by the floods amid widespread destruction of property.
The most recent deaths resulting from flooding claimed the lives of eight people who had been returning home after attending an anniversary ceremony that was hosted by First Lady Rachel Ruto at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi County.
According to reports, the seven were swept away at Mukaa area in Makueni County while attempting to cross the flooded Muuoni River.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident that has happened to some of our @Joyful_Women members from Makueni County. On my behalf and that of Joyful Women Organization, I sincerely express my utmost sympathies to the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends at this difficult time,” the First Lady later said.
The current heavy rains have been attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon. As a result, the Kenya Meteorological Department has continuously issued advisories and alerts.
Flooding has especially been noted in Mombasa, Turkana, Makueni, Garissa and Taita Taveta among other counties.
President Ruto initially claimed that there would be no El Nino rains in Kenya but his deputy, Rigathi Gacagua, ended up publicly correcting him while he was out of the country.
On that occasion, the DP Gachagua held a press conference and invited a Director from the Meteorological Department to clarify that indeed El Nino rains are falling in Kenya, adding they did not know who had wrongly advised President Ruto into publicly making such a false claim.
