Monday 12 September 2011

Kenya, how ready are we to handle disasters?

It is so sad that Kenya as a country we get caught off-guard when a disaster strikes. Less than a month ago, we came together to help feed our fellow countrymen. Today we mourning the Lunga Lunga disaster, which according to reports has claimed over 100 lives.  My condolences and prayers to all the affected families.


A quick question, how ready are we in case the ugly face of disaster comes knowing our doors? We need stop being a nation that always waits for a calamity to happen for it to react, we need be a nation that knows how to prevent such calamities and is always swift to respond to them.

I imagine if all the stakeholders came together and put up mechanisms to solve these disasters, and if possible prevent them from happening. How do we train the public? How do we make the public informed that in case this happens, this is what to do, and this is not what to do? The Kenyan media, what role would you play to make sure people are informed and prepared in case a disaster happens? I came across an article that was done by the Daily Nation, pointing out the dangers that residents of Viwandani slum in Kayaba are exposing themselves to. These residents have built makeshift structures on top of the KPC lane, oblivious of the potential disaster

The government, a responsive team needs be on standby. High time the treasury set aside some funds for this.

Many thanks to the social media community for keeping the rest of the world updated on the fire disaster and helping pass word around on what is urgently needed; blood, water and clothing for the affected families.

Any ideas on how we, as a nation can rise from being a nation that waits for the lighting to strike, then act?

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