Nairobi MCA secures 5 boats for Mathare flood rescue
The ongoing heavy downpour that has hit slum areas in Nairobi County has forced a county assembly member to secure some boats to rescue stranded residents.
Nasra Nanda, a nominated MCA in the Nairobi County Assembly, said she took the initiative after realising with concern that efforts to coordinate flood risk mitigation and relief efforts could be overwhelming, prompting her to join hands with Kenya Red Cross and Savage Wilderness.
So far, she said, five boats and disaster and rescue experts have been deployed and grassroots champion Hanifa Adan has been lobbying for the provision of mattresses, blankets and water to affected residents in Mathare 4A, Mabatini and Kosovo.
“By coordinating and lobbying Savage Wilderness to support the Kenya Red Cross evacuation efforts with five boats and disaster and rescue experts,” said Nasra.
She has also asked President William Ruto to postpone the reopening of schools for two weeks when the rains subside, adding that most schools across the country are being used as shelters for displaced families.
The MCA has also called on the national government and Nairobi County government to set up a shelter fund for affected households in urban centres for three months, with each household receiving Sh20,000.
The MCA also wants the two levels of government to create a medical cash fund for the affected families and allocate Sh25,000 to each family.
“This is critical, especially as the floods pose a risk of outbreaks of dysentery, cholera and other water-borne diseases. With the doctors on strike, we are working against the grain to ensure that we contain the outbreak of these diseases”.
The government has also been asked to set aside cash food funds for one month to assist the affected families in urban centres to withstand the effects of floods, where each family will receive between Sh5, 700.
The vocal MCA has also asked the government to move with speed to fence the riparian areas and to prevent encroachment.
Over 300,000 families have been displaced by floods in Nairobi County, and about 20 people have lost their lives.