The national government's perceived discrimination and neglect in addressing the impact of the El Niño rains, which have tragically resulted in the loss of fifteen lives, has been criticized by MPs from Northern Kenya.
They assert that approximately two-thirds of the area is underwater, with Wajir County suffering the worst.
The parliamentarians have aimed at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, highlighting what they see as an unfair distribution of emergency resources intended to mitigate the consequences of the El Niño rains.
They stress how urgently we need to support the impacted regions, particularly Northern Kenya, with a more responsive and equitable approach.
Led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, the legislators said during a press conference at Wilson Airport on Tuesday that the anticipated assistance from the federal government is not well-thought-out nor clear, as they flagged off a consignment of 24 tonnes of food items and medications that were going to six sub-counties of Wajir County.
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He believes that the federal government needs to step up and help those impacted with food, shelter, and medication, all of which are currently available.
“We want the national government to come out properly and assist the residents of our counties. What is being coordinated, and what we have been told is being coordinated? We’re not seeing it at all,’ said Keynan.
On the other hand, Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass Sheikh lamented that the national government is yet to announce any interventions to assist those marooned by the floods for the third week now.
“Sometimes, we ask ourselves whether we’re part of this country, or we are third class citizens. For instance, the floods in Mombasa city started this week but you have the deputy president and his team is already at the coast assisting the County government of Mombasa through various interventions, what about northern Kenya, is it not part of this country,” posed Senator Sheikh.
While decrying laxity on the part of the National government, Wajir West MP Yusuf Mohamed Farah said the magnitude of the problem and the response by the national government is different even as he called for a more concerted effort.
Farah said the national government should take their responsibilities seriously to avert more catastrophes.
“As parliament, we have appropriated money to deal with this emergencies that ravaged our country especially in the Northern Kenya, in the Counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera, but we seeing nothing on the ground as our people perish,” said Hon. Farah.
