President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed solidarity with the government and people of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the deadly flood disasters and devastating mudslides wreaking havoc in some parts of their country.
In Kenya, at least 34 are reported to have died in the disaster after the flooding.
Reports say overnight floods. 17 people died in a mudslide in the village of Takmal in the Pokot Central district, while 12 others lost their lives in mudslides in the villages of Parua and Tapach in Pokot South.
Another five reportedly died when their car was swept away on the road between Kitale and Lodwar after two rivers overflowed their banks.
Reports say over a million people in East Africa have been affected by flooding after heavy rains, bringing the death toll in Kenya in the last few weeks to over 70.
A statement from President Buhari’s office said that in separate messages of sympathy and solidarity to the leaders of Kenya and DRC, two countries most hit by the recent incidents, President Buhari said: “the government of Nigeria sympathises with you and the victims of these deadly and devastating flood disasters and mudslides.”
The Nigeria leader expressed sadness over the loss of lives, the economic and social disruptions caused by these natural disasters, adding that: “we are so interconnected by our common humanity that one man’s misfortune affects the joy of others because of the ligament of compassion that holds us together.”
Buhari noted that “emergency management response is one of Africa’s biggest challenges of development, and we should work together to find a common strategy to minimise the human and economic impacts of these catastrophes.”
The President told the leaders of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo that the hearts and prayers of all Nigerians are with those affected by the natural disaster.
