The death toll following heavy rains in the country has so far claimed over 60 lives according to government reports. 11,000 other people have been displaced.
However, activists say the government has been reactive instead of being proactive in the first place in handling the whole issue.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, the activists led by Salma Hemed noted that the Meteorological Department issued the warning two months ago, however, the government has remained mum without any serious steps to avert any crisis or calamities.
According to the activist, who implements Climate Change project under human rights organisation, Haki Africa, what is being witnessed in the country today is a result of governments’ laxity.
She further said that the deaths, destruction and displacement should push the government to put urgent and long term measures to tame perennial floods in the country in future.
“The Meteorological Department issued its weather forecast on February, 29 this year, however, no any tangible measures were implemented to avert any form of destruction or deaths caused by raging floods,” said the activist.
She noted that the floods according to the weather forecast experts may escalate to all the 47 counties following increased downpour, however the government is handling the whole situation haphazardly.
“How many lives will we lose so that the government is proactive instead of being reactive? We have to see actions now and nothing else,” she added.
Civic education
Ms Hemed also called for enhanced civic education in the country, so that the public can embrace environment protection.
She said Kenyans have been littering their residential areas, blocking waterways, actions that have resulted to some residential and commercial establishments being washed away by floods.
She also raised concerns with the way counties have been allowing reckless developments, whith buildings raised in waterways thus causing floods.
“Though in Mombasa we are yet to experience high water levels like the one witnessed in October throughout December in 2023, the county government should control conctructions or else the wrath of heavy rains will get us completely unaware,” she added.
[The current ugly situation in Nairobi’s Mathare slums. Photo/KRCS/April, 25, 24].
The activist also appealed for humanitarian aid to those affected by the intense floods countrywide.
Salma’s sentiments comes as President William Ruto urges government agencies to pursue the flooding problem in the country.
Meteorological department has further warned of increased rains in the next 72 hours in most parts of the country.
