Azimio leader Raila Odinga has called on the government to declare the ongoing floods a national disaster.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, the Azimio boss said that the ongoing rains increase by the day adding that the disaster will be worse if not addressed immediately.
He urged the government to move expeditiously to mobilise all the national resources available to avert further loss.
“It is our urgent appeal that the President and government hereby declare the floods a national disaster and immediately activate all emergency mechanisms including military disaster response teams,” Raila said.
He further said that the Red Cross should launch an emergency support kitty for urgent distribution on a case-by-case basis.
The ODM boss added that Azimio Members of Parliament have contributed Sh1 million to distribute to Nairobi residents affected by the floods.
Raila said that the situation needs urgent humanitarian assistance across the country.
He said the government and other disaster response agencies to launch search and rescue efforts.
Raila added that the government should also provide food, water, blankets and medication to affected Kenyans nationwide.
According to the Azimio boss, flood disaster has hit even the most unexpected places.
“As we go through all this and seek help all Kenyans believe that as a country we deserve better and can we do better. I believe that as a country we can do better than crying for help when the rain comes and when it fails, we can do better,” he added.
Raila said that those displaced from hospital wards are sheltered temporarily at Mathare Vocational Centre and ODM office.
Heavy rains across the country since the start of the week have caused great damage to residents in all affected areas.
A crosscheck by the Star in select city estates as well as in adjacent counties revealed the extent to which this damage has gone.
Businesses in some areas had to stop because of the water covering the spaces within which they operate.
The Kenya Red Cross in a statement on Wednesday said the heavy rainfall received on Tuesday night has led to flash floods in various estates across the city.
The worst hit include Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, Umoja 3, Choka, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Githurai, Kahawa, Eastern Bypass, Kinoo, Kijabe, Limuru, Ruiru, Graceland, Joska, Kaswito, Kicheko, Mangili, Kenyatta Road, Juja, Kitengela, and Magadi.
