Kenya's disaster management - before and after - is in itself a disaster.
Be it flooding, a pandemic, drought, accidents or collapsed buildings, both the national and county governments take no preventive measures and deeply lack the capacity to undertake any rescues.
This week's rains in Nairobi were long predicted by the Meteorological Department but were any preventive measure taken? No. Instead we adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
Nairobi alone has reported more than 10 deaths in two days, but many more have died or been displaced countrywide.
Desperate families are marooned by the flood waters, but the Nairobi county appeared helpless, leaving the rescue task to individuals.
The major cause of flooding in Nairobi and other Kenyan towns is poor planning and approval and erection of all manner of buildings on waterways.
A recent report by the Auditor General on disaster preparedness confirms that county governments are either poorly prepared, or not at all, to respond to emergencies.
The report shows that most counties are not budgeting for unforeseen eventualities while others have diverted the little funds set aside to respond to tragedies.
Setting up an emergency plan and having a well-funded and working disaster management team is like taking an insurance policy.
You never know when an emergency will arise but at least you live knowing that you are covered.
Quote of the Day: “Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.”
Marcus Aurelius
The Roman emperor and philosopher was born on April 26 121 AD
