:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/I6KMHUNR25HD5LYIGNYXDLIBGE.jpg "Kenya postpones reopening schools after almost a hundred deaths from floods")
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya has postponed the reopening of its schools for a week due to flooding caused by downpours, as flood-related deaths since mid-March approached 100 in the East African country.
Some schools were still “negatively affected” by the flooding, the Education Ministry said Sunday night. Local media reported more than 100 flooded schools, some of which had suffered wall collapses or lost roofs.
The opening date was pushed back from Monday, April 29 to May 6.
Floods in Kenya had killed 93 people and the toll was expected to rise after a shipwreck in the northern county of Garissa on Sunday night. The Kenya Red Cross said it had rescued 23 people from the boat, but more than a dozen were still missing.
Downpours have hit the country since mid-March, and the Meteorological Department has warned of more rain.
Flooding has been reported in East Africa due to heavy rainfall, with 155 dead in Tanzania and more than 200,000 affected in neighboring Burundi.
The highest death toll in Kenya was reported in the capital, Nairobi, according to police records.
Kenya’s main airport was flooded on Saturday, forcing some flights to be diverted. Videos circulated on the Internet of a landing strip, terminals and a goods area filled with water.
Airport manager Henry Kegoye attributed the flooding to renovation work at the facility that was due to be completed in June. The rains overwhelmed a temporary drainage system enabled by the contracting company.
More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods across the country, which have submerged homes in flood zones while people took shelter in schools.
President William Ruto had instructed the National Youth Service to provide land as a temporary camping area for those affected.