Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has blamed the government for not preparing adequately for the predicted heavy rains which have caused floods in different parts of the country leaving a trail of destruction and loss of lives.
Odinga in a statement on April 30, 2024, accused the government of being unprepared for the rains which had been predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
“The devastation has made clear that as a nation, we must confront the emergency of our failure to learn. Despite the fact that the Meteorological Department had accurately predicted the coming heavy rains and storms, there were no advance contingency plans,” read part of the statement.
Raila further called out the government noting that it has been keen on climate change, yet when the flooding menace hit the country, the government was caught unprepared.
According to the opposition leader, lack of preparedness led the country to being reduced to planning, searching and rescuing at the same time.
Also Read: FLOODS LIVE UPDATES: KeNHA Closes Mai Mahiu Road as Death Toll Hits 45
While highlighting the floods as unprecedented in many ways, the opposition chief said that they have laid bare the country’s failure to properly plan particularly for weather and climate change driven disasters.
Raila slams Govt
Also, the opposition leader said that the floods have exposed the underinvestment in infrastructure and social welfare across the country.
“The situation therefore calls for accountability and a reordering of our priorities as a country,” said Raila.
Further the coalition while addressing the last-minute postponement of opening of schools urged the government to be proactive and clear the confusion witnessed.
“We ask the government to be proactive, clear the confusion being witnessed, end duplication and unnecessary competition within its ranks and create clarity over roles and responsibilities in the response and incident management system,” added Odinga.
On the other hand, Odinga called on the government to streamline its communication channels with all who have responsibilities in the unfolding situation.
According to the former Prime Minister, this will enable agencies and the two levels of government to deliver better, faster and efficient services.
Also Read: Uhuru Pledges Ksh 2M to Help Floods Victims, Declares Stand on Doctors Strike
Azimio while extending its message of condolence to the families affected by the floods noted that it was working to mobilize and offer as much as it could.
According to Raila, the coalition had reached out to mobilize support within its network which it shall shortly be delivering to the affected families.
He added that a number of leaders from the coalition are holding fundraisers to support rescue efforts.
Odinga at the same time encouraged the coalition’s networks to feel free to contribute to the national relief efforts particularly through the Kenya Red Cross or other accountable organizations that are aiding.
Govt called for action
However, Odinga highlighted that even as the coalition reached out to offer help, the government was also tasked with the mandate to give priority to the affected.
“We appeal to the government to ensure that the most urgent needs of low-income people across the country get priority attention and that their voices are heard as the recovery efforts continue. We will help foster debate on this matter in the days and months ahead and force the country to confront failure to learn as a national emergency and scourge,” added Raila.
The statement by Odinga came at a time President William Ruto was holding a special cabinet meeting to address the flooding crisis.
According to the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, about 169 people have been killed so far in floods that have devastated parts of Kenya.
The number includes 45 people who died on early Monday morning after their villages were swept away near Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County.
More than 130,000 people have been displaced by the floods, with many people taking shelter in schools.
President Ruto in an interview with the BBC defended his government’s response to the floods following criticism from county governments that it was slow.
Ruto said the cabinet meeting on Tuesday would discuss additional measures on flood mitigation.
Asked if there are immediate plans to declare the flooding a national disaster, the head of state said the urgent thing was to provide the required resources to the affected areas.
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