Nairobi: Renowned Activist Benna Buluma Alias Mama Victor Dies In Mathare Floods

• On Wednesday, April 24, Kenya Red Cross rescued 18 people stranded in Miradi, Mathare following a heavy downpour on Tuesday night
• Activist Benna Buluma was among the 10 people who lost their lives after their bodies were retrieved from River Mathare
• She was expected to attend the launch of the 2023 Missing Voices Coalition Report on the state of extrajudicial killings in Kenya

Mathare-based activist Benna Buluma is among 10 people who have died in Mathare floodwaters following heavy rains experienced on the night of Tuesday, April 23.

What happened to Mama Victor?

The late Buluma alias Mama Victor's body was one of the bodies recovered from River Mathare on Wednesday, April 24, as search for eight more bodies intensified.

The Defenders Coalition, a humanitarian organisation blamed her death on the casual handling of the floods by the government and authorities involved.

"Mama Victor joins a long list of Kenyans that have lost their lives recently following high rainfall, whose flow is casually simply not managed at all by the relevant government authorities and its wanting leadership," the humanitarian group mourned.

According to the Defenders Coalition, she was expected to attend the launch of the 2023 Missing Voices Coalition Report on the state of extrajudicial killings in Kenya but did not show up.

"Uncomfortable murmurs regarding her whereabouts and safety as her phones were unanswered triggered a search at Mathare North where she lived with her family. Eventually, her body was traced with other bodies victims of flooding. This is deeply concerning," the statement read.

Who is Mama Victor?

After losing her two sons in extra judicial killings in 2017, she opted to speak up about cold-blooded killings by the police.

Despite the pain of losing her sons, she formed a network of Justice Warriors of Mothers whose sons were victims of police brutality and killings.

"Despite the unimaginable pain of losing her sons, Mama Victor inspired countless others who have suffered similar losses under the hands of the police killings and brutality," read the statement.

According to organisation, the network had expanded its reach in communities around Nairobi including Kayole, Mukuru, Dandora, Kibera, and Kariobangi under her leadership.

Mathare floods victims

Mathare residents sought refuge on rooftops after their houses were flooded, and netizens called out the government for failing to help the stranded residents.

Kenya Red Cross intervened in the situation and rescued 18 residents comprising of seven children and 11 adults.

What to know about the floods in Nairobi

• Here is a list of roads closed in Nairobi following floods
• Posh Safaricom Houses in Nairobi marooned by floods
• A matatu has been swept away with passengers onboard in Kasarani
• Motorists in Nairobi have been cautioned to be vigilant and avoid flooded roads

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.