Nairobi Floods: Raila Odinga Donates KSh 1m Towards Humanitarian Response, Calls For Cooperation

• Azimio leader Raila Odinga called on the government to declare floods a national disaster due to the escalating damage
• Raila urged the Kenya Red Cross to establish an emergency support kitty to help residents in the areas affected by floods
• He stated that a section of Azimio MPs had contributed a sum of KSh 1 million to help the flood victims in Nairobi

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has convened an urgent meeting with Nairobi Members of Parliament and Senator Edwin Sifuna to address the flooding crisis in the county.

The Wednesday night April 24 meeting follows the ongoing heavy rainfall, causing widespread damage, displacing many residents, and resulting in casualties.

Azimio leaders have urged the government to promptly assist the affected families, recognising the severe impact of the rains.

They have appealed to the government and other disaster response agencies to launch a thorough search in affected areas and provide food, blankets, and medicines.

What Raila Odinga demands concerning flooding

Raila demands that the government declare flooding a national disaster and promptly mobilise all emergency resources, including military response teams.

He stated that the Kenya Red Cross should launch a disaster support kitty to support the regions affected.

"It is therefore our urgent appeal that the president and the government declare the floods a national disaster and immediately activate all emergency mechanisms, including military disaster response teams. The Kenya Red Cross moves to launch an emergency disaster support kitty to assist families affected by flooding for urgent distribution on a case-by-case basis," he said.

Additionally, the opposition leader demanded that the national and county governments unveil a robust information gathering and sharing system to enable people to report and avoid disasters as they unfold.

What has Azimio done to support the victims of floods?

While making the statement, Raila disclosed that Azimio MPs had contributed a sum amounting to KSh 1 million to be given to the Red Cross team to help victims of floods in most parts of Nairobi.

"As we speak, the Azimio MPs gathered here have already put together KSh 1 million as a start to be given to the Red Cross in Nairobi for distribution to the affected people," he added.

Benna Buluma dies in River Mathare

Meanwhile, a renowned activist Benna Buluma was among the 10 people who perished in the River Mathare following the heavy downpours on Tuesday, April 23.

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

The activist alias Mama Victor, was to attend the launch of the 2023 Missing Voices Coalition Report on the state of extrajudicial killings in Kenya on the fateful day but did not show up.

What else you need to know about floods in Nairobi

• Posh Safaricom Sacco's houses were marooned by floods after the Athi River burst its banks
• The Kenya Urban Roads Authority said that some roads within the city would remain closed until floods are controlled
• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defended Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja as the public demanded his action

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