Questions as Govt Choppers Fail to Show Up Amid El Nino

The heavy rains experienced in various parts of the country have exposed possible gaps in the government’s preparations for the predicted El Nino floods. 

On Friday, November 3, Kenyans on social media raised questions about the absence of government owned helicopters in rescue operations undertaken in Isiolo and Samburu Counties.

The Nothern Rangelands Trust- an organization operating in Nothern Kenya announced that it had successfully repatriated a pregnant woman who had been stranded in Isiolo.

In a statement, NRT announced that it collaborated with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to transfer the woman from Garbatulla Sub County Hospital to Isiolo Referral Hospital 

According to a statement by NRT, the County Government of Isiolo had attempted to transfer the woman who was in a critical condition.

However, the county’s roads were impassable hence thwarting their efforts to transport the woman on the road.

Eventually, the NRT resorted to using a chopper owned by Lewa Conservancy in a bid to save the woman’s life and that of the expected baby.

Elsewhere in Samburu, a privately owned chopper was seen rescuing eight people who were stranded in a flooded area.

Also Read: FKF Match Played in a Flooded Stadium Amid El Nino

In response to the incident, Save the Elephants- another international organization cooperate with Ol Malo to save the eight people who were staring at death.

Kenyans raise questions on El Nino preparedness

Consequently, the two incidents have sparked reactions among Kenyans.

In comments seen by The Kenya Times, a section of Kenyans sought a clarification on why foreigners were involved in two successive rescue operations. 

“This is a second or third time a private individual has rescued Kenyans with his own chopper,” an X user commented.

“They should just him the entire budget for Kenya Police Air Wing,” another noted referring to the Ol Malo video.

“Our emergency services are limited to a few people (the capitalists) who have the ability to afford. Disaster management is a joke in this country. Most victims of accidents could have been saved if we had working response units.”

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Also Read: Video Shows Chopper’s Attempt to Rescue Stranded El Nino Victims

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 The two incidents came on the back of sustained efforts by the Kenya Meteorological Department alerting Kenyans of the upcoming heavy rains.

In a notice sent out on Wednesday, November 1, the weather department announced that several counties would experience floods occasioned by the ongoing rains.

Whilst the met department has been on the spot over lack of clarity on whether the El Nino phenomena would unfold; the government had assured Kenyans that it would take necessary measures in preparedness to the anticipated rains.

The efforts taken by the state included planning for emergency response strategies including evacuation in cases of heavy flooding.