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Raila wants President Ruto to declare current flooding a national disaster

Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other leaders address the flood situation in Nairobi. (Photo: Raila Odinga press)

By Barack Oduor | Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Raila and other Azimio leaders donated Sh1 million to Nairobi residents affected by the floods.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has demanded that President William Ruto to declare the current flooding situation in the country a national disaster.

Raila who held a meeting with elected ODM lawmakers in Nairobi County on Wednesday over the floods situation led the leaders in donating one million shillings to Nairobi residents affected by the floods.

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Raila announced that the money would be handed over to the Kenya Red Cross Society.

"We demand that the government declare the ongoing flooding situation a national disaster and mobilise quick rescue response including the military Military teams," said Raila.

"I have held a consultative meeting with the political leadership of Nairobi including members of the National Assembly and Senator with the aim of getting a clear picture shining sharp focus on the suffering of residents, as well as mobilising urgent support for mitigation measures," said Raila.

The leaders called upon the national and county governments to lead from the front in rescue and support missions. They also sent appeals to local and international partners to join them in seeking resources for those affected.

"If Nairobi is this overwhelmed, we fear our people in rural Kenya could be in for worse times should the rains continue as expected," said Raila.

Raila called on the county governments to learn from Nairobi's helplessness and do better for Kenyans.

He said over 3,000 mattresses are required, food for over 10,000, and temporary shelters are required for over 1000 affected residents.

The opposition leader gave the example of Mathare and Ruaraka, where he explained that properties on ground level have been submerged and there are reports of one person dead from electrocution.

"River Mathare burst its banks while storm overflows from Thika Superhighway have poured into low-lying areas of the constituencies."

The leaders said long-term assistance is needed including building materials to reconstruct houses for those displaced and financial assistance to resettle those who had built on riparian land near the river.

They also want the Red Cross to launch an emergency disaster support kitty to assist families affected by the flooding, for urgent distribution on a case-by-case basis.

"The county and national governments unveil a robust information gathering and sharing system to enable people to report and avoid disasters as they unfold," said Raila.

Leaders present at the Raila meeting included Senator Edwin Sifuna, Kibera MP Peter Orero, Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and others