The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Education, has changed the dates when schools begin.

Learners who were supposed to start school on Monday, April 29, will now have to report as of May 6, 2024.

The one-week extension of school holidays is due to the country’s torrential rains, which have caused flooding on major roadways.

While announcing the postponement, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated that the ministry directed field officials to submit data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions across the country where harmful effects of the severe rains had been documented.

“Reports received at the Ministry of Education, corroborated with data from other relevant Government agencies, show that a number of schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains,” Machogu said.

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools is so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” added the CS.

The floods not only hampered transportation in several locations, but also killed over 70 people. Homes have been submerged in water, causing displaced people to seek refuge in schools and other public buildings.