This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
Published on May 6, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has overshadowed news of the recent spate of deadly flooding in Kenya. In April alone, flooding and subsequent landslides claimed the lives of 164 innocent people, while government statistics indicate that over 40,000 Kenyans have been displaced.
With larger than expected rainfall forecasted for May, further lives may be at risk if government warnings for Kenyans living in flood danger zones are not heeded. As CS Wamalwa represented the government on the ground in the worst-hit Busia and Siaya counties, the government has been assessing the extent of the damage caused by the flooding.
According to the government, no family should be left to struggle on their own in these difficult times. This has been the essence of Uhuru's approach to battling the Covid-19 pandemic as well; we must remain united in the face of national enemies.
Uhuru declared flooding a national disaster in 2018, allowing for national disaster relief to be allocated towards recovering from floods. The government is also showing support for those affected by allocating over Sh 1 billion in extra funding to the Kenyan Red Cross, in addition to the Sh1.5 billion already earmarked for flood relief.
Uhuru has led by example and allocated this much-needed funding within an exceptionally short time frame, bypassing government bureaucracy. This quick and comprehensive response should send a message to us all. We are indeed all responsible for one another.
These floods have been particularly damaging, affecting citizens in 32 counties across our nation. Irrespective of whether it is one county that is hit or 32, we have a national responsibility to care for those in need. Our leadership has indeed lived up to its commitment to support national unity at all costs.
