Raila party forms committee to distribute aid to flood victims

Raila said the destruction caused by the raging floods across the country is overwhelming, heartbreaking and unbelievable.

Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party on Thursday moved to form a committee that will oversee the political outfits' distribution of relief aid to Kenyans affected by floods.

The nine-member Disaster Response Committee will coordinate response and relief efforts as part of their response to the current flooding crisis.

"We stand together with the victims of the flood disaster in our country," the party announced as it unveiled the team.

Members of the committee who are lawmakers include senators Eddy Gicheru (Migori) and Hamida Kibwana (Nominated), MPs Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Catherine Omanyo (Busia County) and James Nyikal (Seme).

Members of the County Assembly of Nairobi Peter Imwatok (Majority leader), Nasra Nanda (Nominated) and Abbas Khalif (South C ward) are part of the committee. ODM Youth Director Benson Musungu is also a member of the Committee.

The decision of the Azimio leader comes a fortnight after he called on the President William Ruto-led government to declare the ongoing floods a national disaster.

The Azimio boss said that the rains will increase by the day, adding that the disaster will worsen if not addressed immediately. He urged the government to move expeditiously to mobilise all the national resources available to avert further loss.

"It is our urgent appeal that the President and government hereby declare the floods a national disaster and immediately activate all emergency mechanisms including military disaster response teams," Raila said.

He further said that the Red Cross should launch an emergency support kitty for urgent distribution on a case-by-case basis.

"As we go through all this and seek help, all Kenyans believe that as a country, we deserve better and can do better. I believe that as a country we can do better than crying for help when the rain comes and when it fails, we can do better," he added.

Raila said the destruction caused by the raging floods across the country is overwhelming, heartbreaking and unbelievable. Its impact, he added, will be far-reaching and long-lasting.

He had earlier called on the government to declare the ongoing floods a national disaster. He urged the government to move expeditiously to mobilise all the national resources available to avert further loss.

"It is our urgent appeal that the President and government declare the floods a national disaster and immediately activate all emergency mechanisms including military disaster response teams," Raila said.