By Peter Ochieng
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has established a 9-member disaster team, as a response to the ongoing flooding crisis in most parts of the country.
The team, the Raila Odinga-led party said, will coordinate relief efforts in favour of the victims.
“As a response to the national flooding crisis, the ODM party has established a 9-member disaster response team to coordinate a response and relief efforts to the ongoing crisis,” the Orange party said.
The committee is comprised of Nairobi County Members of the County Aseembly, Abbas Khalif and Nasra Nanda, alongside leader of majority in the Nairobi County Assembly, Peter Imwatok.
Others are Migori Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch, Seme MP Dr. James Nyikal, Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo, nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Benson Musungu, ODM’s youth director.
The formation of the committee comes days after Raila Odinga called on the Kenya Kwanza regime to declare floods a national disaster.
Odinga said the move would lead to the activation of all disaster response teams, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
However, the State is yet to heed to Odinga’s call despite over 250 people having lost their lives, with thousands having been displaced; from Nyando to Mathare in Nairobi and to Machakos.
President William Ruto in Monday visited victims of the floods in Mathare, where he said his administration would give Sh10,000 for rent, to the 40,000 families left homeless in Nairobi.
“Every household of the 40,000 households that have been displaced in Nairobi county, will be paid Sh10,000 so that they can find alternative accommodation as we plan for their future as a government so that every Kenyan has a home and a place to call home,” said the President.
“Hakuna mwananchi atalala njaa, hakuna mtoto atalala njaa. Tumeweka pesa ya kutosha ya kununua chakula ya kila mtu ameathirika hapa Nairobi na Kenya mzima,” he added.
It translates to “No one will sleep hungry, no child will sleep hungry. We have allocated enough money to buy food for everyone who has been affected here in Nairobi and around the country.”
However, Azimio leaders led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday said the Sh10,000 stipend is akin to a drop in the ocean.
Kalonzo said since the victims are literally gathering up their lives again after witnessing floods sweep all they had, they should recieve a Sh100,000 compensation from the State.
