CS Linturi rules out reparation of Kenyans over flooding
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has ruled out compensation for farmers whose crops and livestock were affected by the ravaging floods experienced due to enhanced rainfall.
Appearing before the Senate Plenary session on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Linturi made it clear that the government has not set aside a budgetary allocation for compensation of farmers affected by the floods.
"The government emergency response to the emergencies occasioned by floods does not include compensation to crop and livestock farmers affected by floods," Linturi told the senators. 
"The government has no budgetary allocation for the purpose of compensation of farmers affected by the floods," he insisted.
Government has not accounted for damages
At the same time, Linturi explained that the government cannot fully account for the extent of damage caused by floods at the moment. The Agriculture CS who recently survived an impeachment bid over fake fertiliser, noted that a report can only be filed once the rains subside.
"It is not possible to pronounce ourselves on the level of damage caused by the floods as of now because the rains are still ongoing and it is not possible to do a report to inform on the level of losses incurred," Linturi further informed lawmakers.
"We expect to deal with this issue once things subside and return to normal," he insisted. 
Linturi made the sentiments while responding to a question raised by Senator Esther Okenyuri Anyieni who noted that Tana River County was among those hugely affected by the floods.
However, Linturi vowed to sit down with various insurers to determine how to help those adversely affected by the floods.
"We endeavour to check within the scope of insurance what we can be able to make out of whatever has happened. We shall be sitting down with our insurers and discuss with them after the establishment of the level of loss," he insisted.
Linturi made the sentiments while responding to a question raised by Senator Esther Okenyuri Anyieni who noted that Tana River County was among those hugely affected by the floods.
Ruto orders
The government led by President William Ruto ordered the immediate evacuation of people living in flood-prone areas. Ruto's order followed a tragic incident which killed nearly 50 villagers.
Ruto, who visited the victims of the Kamuchiri deluge after chairing a Cabinet meeting, stated that his government had drawn up a map of neighbourhoods at risk of flooding.
"The military has been mobilized, the national youth service has been mobilized, all security agencies have been mobilized to assist citizens in such areas to evacuate to avoid any dangers of loss of lives," he said.
