Its raining heavy

The Country is experiencing very heavy rainfall during this long rains season. This time meteorological department’s prediction was right they have also said the heavy rains will continue for sometime. It rains everyday from late afternoon and the whole night but at least the sun shines during the day. The heavy rains have caused flooding in most parts of the Country and this is worrying because floods cause a lot of havoc. There are landslides and cracks like the one shown on news yesterday at Mahi Mahiu along the Rift Valley.

The plains of Kano and Budalangi that flood every rain season are worse with this heavy downpour. People in those areas are normally relocated and receive help from the Government, other charity organizations. However many other parts of the Country are now also affected, even Nairobi City dwellers are terribly affected by floods all over. It is so annoying to see roads even in the City center flooded causing heavy traffic jam within and out of the City. This once again puts City hall on notice regarding the drainage system in the City.

It is not the first time the Country is experiencing El Niño rains and so City planners should always be prepared before rains start. Apart from flooded roads there are parts of the City that are now very filthy because of the rain. Take a walk down Haile Selassie Road from Railways to Wakulimu market, into Muthurwa market and Landies road. Lately City hall has not been collecting garbage, I do not know when Wakulima market road was last repaired, the road into the biggest market is Kenya is now like gruel, Muthura market road is not very old but is in a terrible state and the flooding is causing more damage. The filthy uncollected garbage mixed with mad and rain is a sorry state. This is what common citizens of Kenya have to preserver everyday when walking around the city.

The road and the drainage in the estates are not any better, floods are entering some homes and the water level on the roads is at knee height. Many people can now make a living from the floods by carrying people on handcarts, motor bikes (boda boda) or on their back to help them cross roads, not even gum boots will help.

The people who are worst hit are those living near rivers, all river and seasonal streams have broken their banks. I know of many people near Nairobi in Athi River, Mavoko, Embakasi, Ngong etc… who are affected. They are not able to cross to go to and fro work depending on which side they are because there are no bridges to help them cross. It is so serious because when they do not have food at home it is difficult to get supplies if they do not have a shop on that side.

Looking at the heavy rains through the window in the middle of the night, I shed tears when I remember those in temporary structures like IDPs and Slums. Red Cross are always there to help, but it is also upon Government ministries that are concerned to use their resources to relocate people, and put up bridges where citizens affected can crossover. They should not only concentrate their help on people in the Country side and forget the ones affected in the City.