Kenya postpones reopening of schools as flood-related deaths near 100

The Ministry of Education announced a delay in the reopening of all primary and secondary schools after heavy rains and flooding. Originally scheduled to open after mid‑term holidays, reopening was postponed by at least one week to May 6, 2024.
The floods since mid‑March have resulted in a large number of deaths. At one point, the death toll was near 100, with 93 confirmed by some reports.
The rains and floods have severely impacted infrastructure: more than 100 schools were reported flooded; school walls and roofs collapsed in some cases.
Some schools are being used as temporary shelters for displaced persons affected by flooding, making them unavailable for normal classes.
The government also issued evacuation orders for people living near dams and reservoirs that were full or nearly full.
Why it’s significant
Safety risk: Many schools themselves are unsafe (flooded premises, damaged infrastructure); opening them would put learners and staff at risk.
Learning disruption: Delay in reopening means a pause in instruction, which could widen learning gaps especially for vulnerable children.
Equity concerns: Displaced learners, damaged facilities and inaccessible schools will disproportionately affect disadvantaged regions and students.
Resource strain: The government faces added pressure on emergency response, reconstruction of schools & infrastructure, and on managing displaced populations.
What remains to be resolved
A new reopening date (for all schools) has not always been uniformly set: some schools opened, others remain closed because damage persists.
Many learners have not reported back: For example, UNICEF‑linked reports show that by mid‑May 2024 about 183 schools (155 primary, 28 secondary) remained closed due to damage or inaccessibility.
Schools hosting displaced persons or with major damage will need repair and assistance before full normal operations.
The broader climate and infrastructure issues (e.g., drainage, dam management, early warning systems) that allowed the floods to be so destructive remain key to prevent recurrence.Key quote
Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6 2024. — Education Ministry statement