The Kenya Women’s Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has called on the government to initiate urgent and concerted efforts to mitigate the impacts of El Nino rains ravaging different parts of the country.
Led by the KEWOPA vice-chair and Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP)Beatrice Elachi the women parliamentarians who were addressing the press at Stoni Athi termed the current situation as dire and called on the government to declare the ongoing rainfall as a national disaster.
“We should also unite and come together to deal with the issue of El Nino rains,” said Elachi.
Her sentiments were reiterated by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda who asked the government to expedite interventions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the affected communities.
“As a nation, we should pull our resources together and avoid blame games. As KEWOPA we emphasize those affected by the rains including displacements and loss of livelihoods be assisted out of the menace and suffering. We also convey our condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones due to the rains,” said Lesuuda.
She called on Kenyans to follow safety guidelines issued by relevant agencies on El Nino rains to avert further loss of lives.
“As KEWOPA we shall also collaborate with the national government, county governments, and any other stakeholder to offer the necessary support,” said the Samburu West MP.
Also present was Mandera Women Representative Umulkheir Kassim who faulted the government for the slow response to Kenyans affected by floods, especially in the northern part of the country.
“The Northern region of Kenya has been cut off due to the heavy rains, and residents are suffering without any food or medical supplies,” said Kassim.
She expressed her concern that residents in towns that have been marooned are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases and appealed to the government to ensure a steady supply of both food and non-food items.
“The situation is dire, entire towns have been submerged women are giving birth and losing their children in the flooded areas, “she noted.
The legislator lauded the Kenya Red Cross for efforts done to help the affected families but called for more collaboration from both state and non-state agencies to manage the menace.
The legislators met as President William Ruto was addressing journalists in the state house in Nairobi over the mayhem caused by the ongoing heavy rainfall.
The president said the rains are expected to continue stating that he will convene a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday, November 27.
Some Sh.2 billion has been dispersed by the government as a mitigation measure to assist populations affected by the floods, especially in Nothern Kenya.
By Roselyne Kavoo
