Corruption partly to blame for devastating floods - Mbarak

"Nairobi was supposed to buy boats, I think I have not seen even a canoe," Mbarak.

In Summary
  • Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Mbarak said the infrastructure swept away by floods is evidence of corruption.
  • In the recent past, alleged corruption has seen illegal construction on riparian areas

Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission Chairperson David Oginde with CEO Twalib Mbarak during the launch of the annual report on activities and financial statements for the year 2022/2023 in Nairobi on May 14,2024
Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission Chairperson David Oginde with CEO Twalib Mbarak during the launch of the annual report on activities and financial statements for the year 2022/2023 in Nairobi on May 14,2024
Image: ENOS TECHE

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak blamed the impact of devastating flooding in the country partly on corruption.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Mbarak said the infrastructure swept away by floods is evidence of corruption.

"The recent floods have shown corruption has got a price to pay in natural calamities," Mbarak said.

He highlighted cases of bridges being swept away and roads being plagued by potholes as evidence of corruption in the system.

"We saw the reaction of some of the agencies entrusted in dealing with natural calamities. Their reaction was wanting showing that they were not prepared and whatever they had they were ill-equipped," he said.

"Nairobi was supposed to buy boats, I think I have not seen even a canoe," he noted.

In the recent past, alleged corruption has seen illegal construction on riparian areas, reducing the natural capacity of these areas to absorb floodwaters.

Additionally, funds earmarked for the maintenance of dams and drainage systems have allegedly been misappropriated, leading to set up of infrastructure that was ill-equipped to handle the heavy rains.

This means that emergency services were underfunded and unable to respond effectively to the crisis.

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