When the floods hit, the residents are the first to take action

The news of extreme floods globally will be told. When the story of the floods in Kenya is said, it should not miss the efforts of residents who did the most they could for themselves and their neighbors.

Residents who advised others what to do immediately after their houses flooded, those who shared their rooms with those displaced, those who came with boats to rescue those stranded, those who led others to high ground, and even those who comforted others in the wee hours of the night on rooftops as they watched all they owned flow away.

It will be dangerous to forget this part of the story. It is a story of resilience, Harambee, and lessons to prepare for future disasters.

In three years, this story will be evidence of the outputs of leaders we Kenyans elected, the civil servants who did not do their part, the professionals who failed us, and entrepreneurs and businessmen who were driven by gluttony!

Globally, it will be the evidence for the next climate negotiations. A basis for sending invoices to countries whom Africa suffers most for. Countries that do not shy to emit and shift global climate trends with little care to the negative impacts they cause elsewhere!

I know this story will be told. When it is, I know it will not miss the big speeches and the grand reports of big organizations and governments. My greatest hope is that it will be centered on the people who helped themselves most and how they came later and picked up from people who faced their greatest fears. When help was far, delayed or even unavailable and most needed.

This story is ongoing. With floods comes more floods. With more floods comes displacements, diseases, loss of livelihoods and lives, and much more. A dire need for concerted reconstruction efforts.

Therefore, there's a chance to shift this story. Especially at this make-or-break moment.?A chance for each and everyone to reflect and do their part and change how the story ends. With lessons from this story at this point.

How will you take the chance and change this story? How did you help someone?

#PREF4WASH #Kenya #Floods