Former Mike Sonko has pledged to assist families who lost their loved ones during the recent floods in Nairobi by covering burial expenses and facilitating transportation of bodies to their rural homes.
The former Nairobi governor announced that the support will be provided through the Sonko Rescue Team, which will help affected families organise funerals and ease the financial burden brought about by the tragedy.
Speaking at his office in Upper Hill on Tuesday, Sonko said the initiative seeks to stand with families who lost relatives following the heavy rains that recently caused flooding in several parts of the capital.
According to the former county chief, the assistance will include providing coffins, transporting bodies from mortuaries to burial sites and helping families with other related expenses to ensure victims receive a dignified send-off.
Currently, at least 27 bodies believed to be victims of the Nairobi floods are lying in different mortuaries within the city after being retrieved from affected areas.
Sonko said members of the rescue team would be stationed at the Nairobi City Mortuary to help coordinate transportation and assist families with funeral arrangements.
“I want to stand with the families of the deceased during this difficult moment. Through the Sonko Rescue Team, we will provide coffins and transport the bodies and family members to whichever part of the country they choose to bury their loved ones,” Sonko said.
During the address, he also comforted the family of Jerome Mutua, one of the victims who died during the floods, promising to help cater for funeral expenses and transportation costs.
The former governor said the goal of the initiative is to reduce the emotional and financial strain faced by grieving families who are already dealing with the sudden loss of their relatives.
At the same time, Sonko criticised leaders who he accused of politicising the flooding crisis instead of focusing on helping residents affected by the disaster.
He urged leaders to work together to support victims and also address the underlying causes of flooding in the city.
Sonko noted that during his tenure as governor, the county government made efforts to unclog drainage systems in order to reduce flooding in vulnerable areas.
The floods have caused widespread devastation across several regions of the country following days of heavy rainfall.
According to the National Police Service, the nationwide death toll linked to the floods has risen to 49, while more than 2,600 families have been displaced.
Authorities say the floods have also damaged infrastructure and property in various areas, including several police stations affected by rising water levels.
