KENYA: Bishops Appeal for Urgent Action, as El Nino Floods Cripple Kenyan Communities
Members of KCCB. Credit Radio Amani Nakuru
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Catholic Bishops in Kenya have appealed to the government and all stakeholders involved in disaster management to respond urgently to communities who have been and are being affected by the ongoing El Nino rains which commenced in October after the metrological department warned.
In their statement dated Wednesday, November 29, members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) highlighted the challenges currently facing the country due to floods in various counties and said that “timely intervention is crucial in alleviating the immediate distress caused by El Nino.”
“We realize that the amount of rainfall we have received as a country is now becoming a threat as it becomes a full El Nino phenomenon. This is just one more effect of climate change, which should compel us to be even more committed to the care of our “Mother Earth” and our Environment,” the Prelates shared their observation about the ongoing rains and decried that El Nino “is inflicting untold suffering on our sisters and brothers… and have lost several lives in Makueni and Kitui counties due to floods.”
According to the Bishops, the country has lost over 120 lives so far as reported by Kenya’s National El Niño Steering Committee and the “relentless onslaught of El Nino has heightened the risk of landslides and flash floods, placing communities at increased vulnerability and posing an imminent threat to their well-being.”
Pointing out more challenges faced by Kenyans during this El Nino period the Church leaders underscored health issues and destruction of properties.
“Furthermore, the potential outbreak of diseases such as cholera looms large as a consequence of the ongoing flooding that is also sweeping away bridges, bursting water, and destroying homes and properties,” reads in part the bishops statement signed by the KCCB chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese as it continues, “Bridges and sections of the road have been washed away in Kilifi, Garissa, Dol Dol, and other parts. Flooding in Tana River, Budalangi, and other flood-prone areas have already rendered over 90,000 Kenyans homeless.”
With this backdrop of the vast challenges of floods in the country, Catholic bishops “urge individuals and groups intending to embark on long trips and festivals to consider postponing their plans…considering the heightened vulnerability of children and individuals facing adverse conditions,” and stressed their appeal to Kenyans “to take utmost care and not risk crossing any flooded areas (as) we can always wait a day or two.”
“We also call upon the Government to respond swiftly by providing robust support to the affected people and communities,” they highlighted in their collective statement and implored cooperation between public and private entities to avert further damage, calling specifically on the Government to fully engage its Disaster Management teams.
“This engagement should encompass the efficient evacuation of affected persons, immediate interventions to address emerging challenges, and proactive assistance to help communities prepare for potential prolonged impacts should El Nino persist,” they said.
As they stressed the need for the government to demonstrate “sensitivity” to the needs of Kenyans, the bishops recalled moments when funds meant to support disaster victims have been mismanaged and said, “We emphasize the responsible use of funds allocated for mitigating the impact, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability.”
“As we have learned from past incidents, disaster relief funds must be directed towards their intended purpose, prioritizing the well-being of our citizens over personal interests. Far too many times we have witnessed that disasters have become a reason to misdirect relief funds for personal gain,” members of KCCB underscored in their Wednesday statement and appealed, “Together, let us place human life at the forefront of our collective efforts to manage and overcome this crisis.”
Amidst the effects of continuous rainfall, the bishops thanked God for responding to people’s prayers since many areas in the country had not received rain for over two years, and proposed that citizens seize the opportunity to plant trees “in an effort to restore our environment, especially in the normally arid areas.”
They further sent condolences to families who have lost their loved ones in these disasters and to those who have been affected or injured and promised prayers as they thanked individuals or corporates who have already come out to assist the affected.
