Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku has revealed that the government will pay the funeral expenses of up to Ksh200,000, to families who lost their loved ones during the flash floods that hit Nairobi and other parts of the country on Friday, March 6.

Speaking during a television interview, CS Ruku asserted that the government will also cover mortuary bills.

This comes a day after the affected families claimed they are yet to receive help from the government. However, Ruku assured that government will fast track compensation and even clear hospital bills for those who sustained injuries.

“The Government of Kenya will pay funeral expenses of up to 200,000 Kenyan shillings to every affected family,” Ruku revealed.

“Government will also cater for all medical bills for those who were injured and are currently in hospital. In addition, mortuary bills in morgues across the country will also be covered by the government,” he assured.

The Public Service CS, however, noted that managing floods, particularly in the capital, is complex even with timely warnings from the Meteorological Department.

He cited rapid urbanization and construction activities that disregard urban planning as major causes of flooding. CS Ruku also highlighted tampering with drainage systems which leads to rain water spilling over causing floods.

“In places where there is rapid urbanisation, … there is a high likelihood of 70 to 95 per cent of the rain becoming runoff. That is the case, that is the situation in which we are in as far as our city is concerned,” Ruku said.

The recent floods have claimed 49 lives across the country, according to a police report, with Nairobi recording the highest number at 27. Of these, 22 were men, three women, and two children.

The government has urged anyone searching for missing relatives or friends to visit the city mortuary for identification.