It’s been a minute, Dear Reader!
I have been so busy trying to help coordinate communication about disaster response initiatives countrywide, as part of the Multi-Agency Coordination team, at the National Disaster Operations Centre.
It’s unfortunate the country has lost nearly 300 Kenyans since March 1, due floods affecting each and every part of the country, in all 47 counties. Many people have been displaced, with more than 58,009 households affected, totaling about 300,000 people.
Nairobi leads with 77 per cent of all those affected. This highlights the issue of urban planning that includes drainage systems, over and above the dangerous building of houses in riparian areas.
As discussed in our last article, the bigger question of climate change adaptation looms large. Concerted efforts are needed to address the disproportionate effects of climate change, to Africa and other developing countries; but most importantly, the most underprivileged within those very countries.
However, the government together with its development partners have done quite a lot in coming out to help. To begin with, there has been an increase in the accuracy of weather forecasting from the Kenya Meteorological Department. This will help in planning, since above normal rainfall is expected to persist for the next four to eight years within the March, April, May (MAM), long rainy period.
The country hadn’t finished dealing with the after-effects of the El Nino, before the rains pounded heavily. This has seriously strained our national emergency resources, as we have had to deal with two emergencies back to back.
President William Ruto constituted a meeting in State House on April 25 to set in motion government interventions on the flooding. The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), was put into operation as a Multi-Agency Command Centre that very evening at 4pm.
The next day, the National Emergency Response Committee was convened by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Development partners and the media were included.
As a result, the government intervened by deploying senior officials to the most affected places, such as Mai Mahiu where we lost 60 Kenyans. None other than the President and his deputy visited, the sites including Mathare, Tana River and Gitugi in Murang’a. First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and the DP’s wife, Pastor Dorcus Rigathi also led initiatives in Kibra, Mathare, Githurai, Kilimabogo and other floods-affected places, to help distribute food and non-food items (F&NFIs).
The government has since committed more than Sh3.7 billion to help in this emergency situation. More than 37 counties have received more than 1.2 million kilogrammes of food. Further, a programme is being rolled out to transfer Sh10,000 to more than 40,000 households stricken by the floods, especially in Nairobi county.
Nyanza region is the second-worst affected area, followed by Central and Eastern regions.
I was privileged to lead my office, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, in visiting flood-affected families in K’adhiambo, and Nduru areas of Kadiboo, in Nyando constituency, Kisumu county. The situation there is dire.
The government has also rolled out a programme whereby Cabinet Secretaries have led teams to stand in solidarity with the Floods-Affected Persons. For example, we did an intervention in Dagamra, in Kilifi county led by
Aisha Jumwa, CS for Gender and Affirmative Action. Others such as CSs Alice Wahome, Kichumba Murkomen, Rebecca Miano, Zachary Njeru, Florence Bore, Mercy Wanjau and others have led similar initiatives.
Principal Secretaries have also come together, led by PS Salome Beacco of Correctional Services, Aurelia Rono, Eng Mbugua, and Joseph Motari to donate both F&NFIs from their ministries. They have donated part of their salaries to buy essentials for residents of Huruma, and also handed over the remainder to the Kenya Red Cross for onward distribution in the 187 camps across the country.
CS Peninah Malonza and PS Kelo Harsama have moved in many parts of the country giving support to many families in many camps under their special programmes docket.
In addition, it is very commendable Kenya has friends from across the globe who have also come through for us. The United Nations has pledged support as much as $7 million (Sh900 million) to help.
Unicef will give cash transfers to 6,900 households, while the British High Commission has pledged Sh140 million to this noble cause. The UAE has already donated 40 tonnes of food via aircraft, and India has already given a shipload and a plane full of F&NFIs, including medicine.
The Government is very appreciative of individuals and companies who have come forward to donate both cash and other items to the affected such as the Kepsa Foundation, Team Pankaj, and individuals of all walks of life. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO is leading a private sector initiative to help coordinate support as well.
There is however need for legislators to fast-track the passage of the Disaster Risk Reduction Bill, which has been pending since the 10th parliament, so that the country can have a more coordinated approach to disaster management.
To give and to support a fellow Kenyan is the greatest act of nationhood and patriotism. Huu ndio utaifa, na Uzalendo halisi.