The Catholic Church has faulted the government for the suffering of Kenyans in urban areas due to the flash floods caused by heavy rains.
Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva and Malindi Bishop Willybard Lagho said on Sunday the government and Kenyans do not seem to learn from past mistakes.
Speaking at St Joseph Catholic Church in Tudor, Mombasa, the two said floods are not a new phenomenon in Kenya.
They said the construction of buildings on waterways will always cause problems at some point.
They said the government has allowed construction of buildings on waterways and failed to develop proper sewage and drainage systems.
“Our engineers and those who make decisions in government must rethink their roles. Some of the deaths we are seeing are manmade. They could have been avoided,” Bishop Lagho said.
He said in Malindi, three Catholic-sponsored schools have been submerged because people have farmed even on water channels.
People have completely ignored the mandatory allowance that should be given between the river and the highest point at which any other activity is allowed.
“We feel sorry for those affected but in some ways, we have to think about ourselves and our future generations. What have these floods taught us?” he posed.
They spoke on the sidelines of St Joseph Catholic Church, Tudor’s Jubilee celebrations.
“Some of the waters travel long distances and affect areas where it has not rained as much like in Malindi. Such waters can be collected and stored to be used for irrigation later,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
He said heavy rains are pounding various parts of the country but after a short while, there will be drought.
“If the government does not come up with creative ways to trap this excessive water, it will be a big waste when the drought kicks in after a short while,” Kivuva said.
“But most importantly, I believe these floods should give us a wake-up call. This amount of rain has only occurred once before in 1961, when planes used to drop food for us."
He said the government should come up with emergency systems that can effectively help Kenyans when such disasters strike.
The cleric urged leaders not to point accusing fingers at each other but cooperate to find lasting solutions and help suffering Kenyans.
“We call on Christians and other stakeholders to donate food, clothes, cash and other items so suffering Kenyans may be assisted,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
He said the Catholic Church has written letters to all its parishes to create donations points where donations can be dropped in aid of those affected by flash floods.
Archbishop Kivuva also pleaded with striking doctors to set aside their differences with the government and help Kenyans get through this disaster first.
“I understand your predicament. But also think of those who are suffering. Do not let them suffer even further through lack of medical attention,” he pleaded.
St Joseph Catholic Church, Tudor, has helped the Tudor Four area grow with social amenities like a school, social hall and a dispensary established during the five decades of the parish’s existence.
