An Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learner in Kaloleni, Kilifi County has succumbed to death after being hit by a flying metal panel propelled by the strong winds in the Coastal area of Kenya.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro commissioned a one-week closure of all ECDE centers to watch over the situation in the county. The sudden closure of schools in Kilifi happened at a time when learning for grades seven and eight was paralyzed all over the country.
This is due to the ongoing teachers’ strike which is going on despite the president’s absence from the country, as he is on a state visit to the U.S.
Five ECDE learners from Gogoraruhe Mosque ECDE School, sustained several injuries after a flying iron sheet struck them amid strong winds caused by Cyclone Ialy.
The pupils were rushed to Mariakani Sub County Hospital, where the four-year-old girl tragically passed away due to her injuries during medical care. The remaining four pupils had head and limb injuries and are still receiving their treatment.
Kilifi County Governor, Gideon Mung’aro, who spoke after the incident said that the school’s parking lot, vehicles, and classrooms were damaged. He also said that the winds were too strong to the extent of pulling down trees and electric posts and leaving many people displaced.
Several houses along the Kenyan coast were damaged and an unknown number of people were displaced on Tuesday, May 21, after the predicted cyclone hit the region.
The Red Cross Organization asked residents in the coastal region to take necessary measures to avoid becoming victims of the strong winds. This comes weeks after the Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier announced that Cyclone Hidaya is expected to weaken in the Kenyan Coast.
strong winds destroying a roof
The Red Cross stated that electric posts in Casuarina, Olimpia, Madunguni in Malindi, and Garashi in Magarini, Kilifi County, fell, while two other posts in Jilore Trading Centre caught fire.
According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, Cyclone Hidaya is a moderate tropical storm that reaches peak speeds of 165 kph and can double the rainfall intensity. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was predicted to occur in the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania.
Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner, Samuel Mutisya, advised the residents to refrain from the beaches and avoid resting in shade under trees in the area that could easily fall due to the strong winds.
Mutisya stated that the effects of the winds are already occurring, including the blowing away of the parking lot at the county commissioner’s office, which resulted in the damage of one of the government vehicles. Residents were urged to call the county emergency number 1535 for a fast response to any disasters or emergencies.
