Nyeri landslide victims get food aid
Tetu MP Ndung’u Gethenji (centre, in striped shirt), together with Tetu Sub-County Deputy Commissioner hand over relief food to residents of Kiangacha village who were displaced following a landslide. 20 households were displaced and are now sheltering at Gichira Youth Polytechnic following a heavy downpour on Tuesday that led to the landslide. PHOTO/STELLAR MURUMBA.
What you need to know:
- The families were displaced following a heavy downpour that caused the landslide on Tuesday.
- They were forced to seek refuge at Gichira Youth Polytechnic.
- Mr Shambi assured the households of both the national and county governments’ support.
The government has given relief food to 20 households affected by a landslide in Kiangacha, Tetu Sub-County in Nyeri County.
The families were displaced following a heavy downpour that caused the landslide on Tuesday.
The relief food was donated through the Ministry of Special Programmes.
The families of more than 60 members including young children were forced to seek refuge at Gichira Youth Polytechnic until the rains subside.
Area Member of National Assembly Ndungu Gethenji who delivered the food items at the polytechnic said the government should be ready to donate more food if the rains continue to wreak havoc.
Mr Gethenji noted that there are plans by the government to relocate those hard hit by landslides which have become a perennial problem during the long rains season if their grounds are confirmed unsafe.
“The government is in control. We have held talks with the Cabinet Secretary for Special Programmes and she has promised to disburse more food items if the condition persists.
We will be bringing sanitary towels for the women and girls and also 40 iron sheets for the badly damaged houses.
“We are forced to wait until the end of the rainy season to ascertain if they can back or they will have to be relocated,” said Mr Gethenji.
NYUMBA KUMI
The MP urged residents to embrace the Nyumba Kumi initiative as it would have come in handy during such a hard time.
“It is important that we all embrace the Nyumba Kumi initiative so that we help each other in times of need,” he said.
Speaking on the grounds, the Tetu Sub-County Deputy Commissioner Herman Shambi told the families not to worry about their lost assets as they can be replaced in time.
Mr Shambi assured the households of both the national and county governments’ support.
“Everything happens for a reason and we cannot question God. He gave us brains to tackle challenges and we all need to prepare for disaster management.
This is but a start of the long rains and the government is in full support. The Child Welfare Association and officers from Amani Counselling Centre will provide their services to both the young and adults.
Life is more important and those affected should not worry about their lost assets, they can be replaced,” said Mr Shambi.
