Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Where is the helping hand for Huruma victims?


When Westgate Mall was attacked on Saturday September 21, 2013, within 24 hours humanitarian help had been hastily mobilised with volunteers contributing Sh 27 million via mobile money service.

All this was for a worthy course considering the loss of human life and destruction of property that would follow during the duration of the siege at the shopping mall.

More than two years later, Kenyans have found themselves in a situation that calls for similar humanitarian initiatives following the collapsed Huruma building on Friday April 29, 2016.

Nine days after the tragedy, rescue and search teams have put the death toll at 46 – and counting – with 40 other people still unaccounted for.

Which begs the question, why hasn’t there been the same level of concerted effort that was witnessed during Westgate to alleviate the pain and suffering of Huruma victims?

Where are the Twitter hashtags – ala #WeAreOne – by Kenyans of goodwill for donation of funds, blood, food, water and other necessities that the survivors of the Huruma tragedy badly need?

Of course in the wake of the incident, the political class took the opportunity to rush to the scene in a show of moral and emotional support.

That said, the people of Huruma need more than just this show of moral and emotional support. Lives have been lost, property destroyed, habitats vanquished and livelihoods shattered.

More than just the provision of physical amenities, the victims of Huruma, above all else, need a support system that will help them overcome their trauma and devastation.

The question is, are the less fortunate not fortunate enough to be helped?

MAGNITUDE OF TRAGEDY

Thankfully, Red Cross Kenya set the trend through the PayBill number 1000 for all those willing to make financial contribution towards this course.

This is highly commendable, yet unlike Westgate, when leading mobile phone service provider, Safaricom, provided a zero-rated PayBill number, the same has not been done for Huruma.

Other than Kenya Red Cross, other entities that have done well for Huruma victims include the Nairobi City County government and the National Youth Service (NYS) who have been coordinating first aid and ambulance services.

But where is the help that comes with any tragedy that occurs and is mostly needed by the Huruma residents?

On Saturday morning Chief Justice of Kenya Dr Willy Mutunga tweeted a picture of himself and other Kenyan personalities with shopping goodies destined for the Huruma people.

“Let’s do the little we can to help the plight of the Huruma victims,” Dr Mutunga captioned the tweet.

In much as the CJ’s contribution is commendable, it is insignificant considering the magnitude of the victim’s plight.

Furthermore, thousands of residents from this settlement must now move out in compliance to a government directive.

Most of those who have been forced to move out of buildings earmarked for demolition have nowhere to go and are likely to end up spending their nights in the cold on the account of the short notice.