KENYA’S BEAUTY TURNS TO BEAST

Heavy downpour and raging floods have continued to wreck havoc in Kenya. In the past few weeks, flash floods and heavy rains have hit various parts of the country, leaving in their wake a devastating trail of destruction. This, even as the weather man warns that the worst is yet to come.

 Kenya’s splendor is legendary. It is typified by her beautiful and culture rich cities, the gorgeous countryside, high snow capped mountains, scenic valleys and gracefully flowing rivers, to mention but a few. This beauty has now turned to beast, as rivers break their banks and grim landslides are witnessed, following heavy rains and violent floods, causing fear unknown to her citizens. The floods have spared neither the cities nor the countryside.

Kenya's beautiful countryside

Kenya's beautiful capital Nairobi

 Some of the roads in the Kenyan capital city Nairobi have been rendered near impassible, causing the city to experience ghastly traffic snarl ups. The city’s image has been dented further by the heaps of garbage washed off the dumpsites. Poor drainage systems along with poor planning in some parts have been blamed for the city’s current turmoil. Notorious power outages have also been experienced across the country as power lines are interrupted by trees felled by the heavy showers.

heavy traffic in Nairobi following the rains.

In the last few days, every news bulletin has borne tear-jerking news of Kenyan citizens losing their lives, having drowned in the raging flood waters or after their homes were swept away. Serious damage has smacked the country’s road network, rendering some towns and villages inaccessible via road. According to the Kenya Red Cross, at least 50 people have lost their lives and 60,000 households displaced due to the floods.

 A recent heartrending tale is of how some people spent three days and nights atop a tree, after a river broke its banks, making it impossible for them to go to safety without the high risk of been swept by the raging flood waters. Thankfully, a helicopter was sent out to rescue them. 

heavy flooding in one of Kenya's towns

Internally displaced persons (IDP’s) have been relocated to higher grounds by the government, this following the flooding in their camps. The government has also issued official statements instructing citizens living in flood and land slide prone areas to shift to safer grounds with immediate effect, to avert further loss of lives.

Even as most people continue to count their losses following the heavy rains, some people are viewing it as a blessing in disguise. This they say is because, following the breaking of banks by the rivers, the fish from the rivers have been swept to places that are easier for people to trap them easily!!  I am having a tough time believing that this is enough reason for anyone to stare disaster in the face! 

a flooded homestead

It is during these turbulent times that the country’s disaster preparedness is brought under sharp scrutiny. Questions are raised as to how prepared the country is to quickly and effectively avert disasters as they strike. Effort is seemingly been put to place, but does it always have to be a case of too little too late?