At least 60,000 people have been displaced and three killed according to media reports from Kenya due to floods caused by heavy rains experienced in Nairobi City on Tuesday night.
The Kenya Red Cross said the flash floods affected areas including Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, and Baba Dogo among others and the impact of the flooding accelerated after the Athi River which is located in Machakos County close to the Kenyan Capital also burst its banks. Roads and bridges have also been affected leading to heavy traffic on major roads.
Renowned Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi is among the many people who have joined the quest to save the lives of their fellow citizens affected by the disaster. In a video clip posted on his Facebook page, Eric Omondi is seen arriving in one area that was greatly affected by the floods with a boat ferried on a truck and later suspended onto the flowing water, rowing towards victims who were stranded on the rooftops of their makeshift houses.
The comedian accompanied by a group of well-wishers under his ‘Sisi Kwa Sisi’ team was able to save 34 lives at the end of the rescue mission.
The tough-speaking Omondi called upon the Government of Kenya to rush and save people in areas surrounding the Athi River before it was too late.
“Disaster is about to strike! There are families stuck on rooftops and the time is ticking. We saved 34 people today from 8:30 am to 11 am and there are still hundreds stuck with children and disaster could strike at any time! Last night we saved a Woman and 3 of her Children in Ruiru’s OJ region,” wrote the Sisi Kwa Sisi team leader.
Eric Omondi who did not have kind words accused the leaders in his government of abandoning the priorities of his country and focusing on other things.
“This government only cares about itself. Now they are discussing presidential term limits and the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries while people are dying. Sisikwa Sisi will stand in the gap,” he ranted.
This is not the first time Omondi is seen getting involved in humanitarian and philanthropic work in Kenya. In February of this year, he was in the news after constructing a new bridge across the Mugonga River an act that was inspired by a young girl who faced difficulty crossing an old dilapidated bridge. Critics have however accused the comedian of clout chasing in the middle of a crisis while others have praised him for doing more than what their government has done in response to the floods.
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