A section of Kenyans criticized President William Ruto after he sent condolences to families of the victims of floods experienced in some counties.
Taking to his Facebook page, President Ruto mourned with Kenyans who have lost family members as a result of the ongoing rainfall.
“We condole with the families of the victims of the ongoing intense downpour and flooding in some parts of the country. We are pained by the loss of lives in Kwale, Mombasa, Samburu and, lately, Makueni County among other places,” said Ruto.
Further, President Ruto said the Government will act to ensure all Kenyans are secure.
Also, First Lady Rachel Ruto mourned with the families of Joyful Women members from Makueni who were swept while trying to cross River Muooni.
She explained that the members were traveling back from the Joyful Women 14th Anniversary celebrations held at Kasarani Stadium on November 23, 2023.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident that has happened to some of our Joyful Women members from Makueni County.
On my behalf and that of Joyful Women Organization, I sincerely express my utmost sympathies to the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends at this difficult time,” wrote Mama Rachel.
El Nino Attacks
Facebook users slammed President Ruto for his condolence message to the families affected by the ongoing heavy rains.
Some of the users bashed Ruto for initially dismissing El Nino while others questioned the where about of the funds allocated for the rains.
Digital Communication strategist Pauline Njoroge attacked Ruto for referring to the rains as “intense downpour” and not El Nino.
Similarly, she asked the president to come clean on the Ksh.10 billion allocated for El Nino mitigation.
“Next thing you need to address the next time you are in the country and please be truthful this time is the issue of Ksh.10 billion meant for El Niño intervention programmes. What happened to it?” questioned Njoroge.
Another user named ‘Lets talk Kenya’ said Ruto is not in touch with the tragedy affecting Kenyans due to his numerous foreign trips.
“There are billions allocated for traveling but we have no money to save lives!! and you would be proudly standing there receiving a standing ovation in European countries having left helpless citizens ravaged by floods. What a messed-up country,” wrote Lets Talk Kenya.
Also, Abdullahi Maalim requested President Ruto to help the Northeastern residents who have suffered for the last six decades.
Also Read: Ruto Bows to Pressure, Calls for Crisis Meeting on El Nino
Ruto Should Apologize
Furthermore, he stated that the El Nino which Ruto dismissed is having a severe impact on the counties he mentioned.
“You said El Nino was a myth and since you are ” a slow scientist” (your words not mine) your people believed your words, now they are being carried away by raging floods Mr. President,” wrote Engaging Scribles.
In addition, a user named Dr.Oyosi should apologize to Kenyans for his misinformation regarding the El Nino rains instead of referring to it as “heavy downpour”.
“Just try to be compassionate for once and make the families feel they are Kenyans. When you visit Kenya next, please address the issue firmly and send funds to assist,” he wrote.
“Condoling is not enough! A public apology for misleading Kenyans is needed if you have conscience,” added Peter Mwangi Odanga.
Clueless Cabinet
Again, Korir Kipng’etich Wycliffe said Kenyans didn’t expect the decisions made by the Keny Kwanza government.
He argued that Ruto’s cabinet secretaries are the most incompetent, unqualified, arrogant and noise makers.
According to Kipng’etich Ruto should strategize adding that only Kindiki serves him well.
“The sad reality is you and your CS for Environment seems to think climate change is about Calculations rather than passion,” said Carolyne Kiilu
Further, Nixon Nicksiff said Kenyans made a mistake electing Ruto as president in the last general election.
He reasoned that Ruto thrives well in excuses, blame games and empty promises.
Nixon further said former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime was better than that of Ruto.
“It was not only a big but a grave mistake having you as president of this country the man whose best responsibilities are to fly from one country to another.
Uhuru was a listening president and worked with brains around him. By the time you leave power we will be backwards 50yrs in terms developments,” said Ruto.
Also Read: Suluhu Lectures Ruto on Loans
Boniface Mwangi
Human Rights Activist Boniface Mwangi also posted a message from a Kenyan directed to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Martha Karua.
In the message, the person said the country is facing a climate crisis with floods ravaging communities from Nyanza, to Eastern, to the Coast and the Northern frontier counties.
The anonymous Kenyan said this has led to loss of lives and livelihoods, yet no concrete action is forthcoming from the government of the Republic of Kenya.
Further, the individual explained that President Ruto has been silent on the matter and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua lacks the capacity to coordinate relief efforts which is his duty.
“I feel pain as a Kenyan on how indifferent a government can be. Who will speak up for the women and children displaced from their homes? Families with no food or shelter?
What about the impending health crisis as a result? Parliament too is on slumber! By now they should have had an emergency session to provide leadership on the issue. But nothing!”
“As Kenyans experience ravaging El Nino, both are out of the country. Just days ago, the president gave an eloquent speech to the European Union Parliament, touching on the climate crisis and the global financial system. Yet he has said nothing about the current climate crisis facing his own people! The governors have vocally spoken out on the lack of support from the national government,” read part of the message.
The sender wondered who will speak up for the women and children displaced from their homes together with the families with no food or shelter.
Besides, he/she stated that parliament is on slumber arguing that they should have had an emergency session to deliberate on the issue.
“Please hide my identity but share this with Martha Karua and Raila Odinga. They might not be in power but half the voters in the 2022 elections trusted them, and they must speak up for us who believed and still believe in their leadership,” asked the sender.
Gachagua Governos El Nino War
This comes after DP Rigathi Gachagua engaged in war of words with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir over the El Nino funds.
Nassir accused Gachagua of lying that the government had disbursed Ksh10 billion to every county for El Nino preparedness.
According to him, even the funds that were being disbursed for relief earlier were no longer being released to the counties.
“I am also praying to God that that money comes. But the truth will always come out. There is not even a single cent that has been disbursed to Mombasa County.
“The Siaya Governor has also Confirmed that his county has also not received. any money,” the governor lamented.
At the same time, Siaya Governor James Orengo reiterated the same sentiments confirming that he had also not received any El Nino relief funds.
“They said that they had some billions to give to the counties for El Nino preparedness, but they have not given even a cent. Siaya has not received any money, and if they would have given Mombasa County I would have known,” added Orengo.
According to Gachagua, Nassir was not proactive enough and was waiting for help from other counties including Nairobi instead of making use of the funds he had received.
“The National Government has tried to buy food for the flood victims, but we also want the county of Mombasa, Governor Nassir to release the funds to buy food for Mombasa residents.
“Mombasa is the only county that has a problem, the only county government that has not released funds to buy food for the flood victims. I am a truthful man,” stated Gachagua.
Ruto Dismisses El Nino
On October 22, President Ruto said the country will not experience El Nino rains as earlier predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
According to Ruto, the country was set to experience heavy rains not El Nino.
“Hata juzi mliskia tukawa na habari pengine kutakuwa na El Nino ambaye itaharibu kule, itaharibu mali ingine lakini Mungu ni nani. Mmesikia wale watu wamesema tena ile El Nino haitakueko,” he said.
This loosely translates to: You recently heard that there will be El Nino that will destroy places and property. But who is God? You’ve heard they have said we won’t have El Nino.”
Ruto sated that the God answered his prayers for rains which were held at Nyayo National Stadium back in February, resulting in the prolonged rains that the country has witnessed.
