Opposition leader Raila Odinga has escalated his critique of President William Ruto’s administration regarding its handling of the ongoing heavy rains wreaking havoc across the nation. Odinga, who leads the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, is urging for the flood crisis affecting various counties to be declared a national disaster. Moreover, he opposes the government’s strategy of forcibly evacuating residents from high-risk areas without a proper resettlement plan.
During a visit to flood victims at Mukuru slums in Nairobi, Odinga expressed dismay at the government’s response to the relentless downpours, which have resulted in loss of life and displacement of thousands. He criticized the government’s apparent inability to effectively address the crisis, stating, “Even if they were given 10 years, they wouldn’t succeed…ministers lack the expertise to govern.”
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka echoed Odinga’s sentiments, attributing the current disaster to a lack of preparedness. “We have reached this crisis due to lack of preparations,” he emphasized.
Odinga further condemned President Ruto’s directive to evacuate residents from flood-prone areas without a comprehensive resettlement plan in place. “We’ve stated that they should not attempt to demolish homes and relocate people. People should be provided with housing first before any demolitions take place…citizens are not animals,” he asserted.
He emphasized the importance of declaring the crisis a disaster in order to mobilize adequate assistance for the victims. Kalonzo chimed in, questioning the government’s relocation strategy, “The government is telling people to move…move to Ngong Hills?”
In conclusion, Raila Odinga’s criticism highlights the need for a more proactive and compassionate approach from the government in addressing the ongoing flood crisis. Declaration of the situation as a national disaster and the implementation of a well-planned resettlement strategy are essential steps towards mitigating the impact on affected communities.
