Ruto condoles with Americans affected by LA fires

President William Ruto has conveyed condolences on his behalf and country to the families of those who have lost their lives in the devastating fires in Los Angeles, USA.

In his message of consolation, Ruto said the Kenya stands in solidarity with the families including those who have suffered losses as a result.

“As your friends, we have received the news of these devastating fires with deep concern and empathy,” he said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and with all the people of the United States of America as they rally to the aid of their compatriots.”

He expressed confidence in the resilience of the American people, noting that the values of determination and solidarity will guide them toward recovery.

“We trust that the indomitable spirit of the American people, anchored in the powerful values that we share, will inspire them...to recover from the tragedy and emerge even stronger in days to come,” he stated.

Ruto also highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, urging global action to address extreme climatic events that are becoming more frequent and intense.

The people of Kenya, he affirmed, are united with the citizens of Los Angeles in their efforts to heal, rebuild, and emerge stronger from the tragedy.

At least 16 people are said to have died as wildfires ravage Los Angeles and there are fears the number could rise.

Officials say it may take several weeks to identify victims as traditional methods - such as fingerprinting and visual identification - may not be possible.

Some 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders and another 166,000 have been warned they may have to flee, too.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, the fires remain uncontained with weather conditions and the underlying impact of climate change expected to continue fanning the flames.

Several celebrities are said to have lost homes as others lost valuable property worth millions of dollars to the destructive flames.

A number of well-known figures have publicly shared their heartbreaking stories and the overwhelming impact of the disaster.

They include Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Adam Brody, Miles Teller, best known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, and his wife, Keleigh Sperry.