By Paschal Norbert
NYERI, APRIL 26, 2024 (CISA) – The Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has initiated an appeal for donations both in kind and monetarily in aid of victims in various parts of the country who are counting heavy losses as unprecedented heavy floods continue to devastate the country.
“I wish to kindly request you all, my dear Christians, through your priests, to collect whatever items or assistance this week to help us come to the aid of these affected families. Please donate blankets, clothes, or any type of foodstuff. We will still use the same Mpesa PayBill number 4023131 account “floods” for cash donations,” appealed Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri in a statement dated April 25.
The bishop vice-chairperson of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) is calling on all the faithful and people of goodwill to take immediate action and be moved by the spirit of Charity and solidarity to help the people who are currently facing life-threatening circumstances.
“We have witnessed the tremendous destruction and strife the recent heavy rains and the consequent floods have caused. Many people have unfortunately lost their lives and many more their homes, property crops and the minimum they need for their normal lives,” he states in the statement of appeal.
According to reports, at least 32 individuals have lost their lives, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes, as relentless torrential rains persistently batter Kenya, unleashing devastating floods that wreak havoc nationwide.
The archbishop urges everyone “to be very careful during this time of the rains. Please exercise care and prudence by not taking risks in crossing flooded rivers or putting your lives in danger.”
In the meantime, The Kenya Meteorological Services has issued a heavy rainfall advisory starting from Friday through to the weekend.
In a statement on April 25, Dr David Gikungu, the Director of the Meteorological Department said “The heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 50mm in 24hrs over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Southeast Lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin and off the coast on 26th to 27th April 2024. It is likely to reduce in intensity on 28th April 2024.”
