Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has roasted Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over flooding roads at Nairobi's Central Business District(CBD), after a heavy downpour on Friday, January 5, 2024, turning his “lazima i-work” slogan against him.
Through his official X account, the lawmaker taunted Sakaja's stunts saying despite the County Government assuring city residents of measures to mitigate the negative effects of rains the capital city has now turned into a 'sea' following sudden floods.
"At least Ksh2 Billion was withdrawn from Nairobi County by Mr Dimples to mitigate floods in Nairobi akakula pesa. Hii ni Nairobi siku ya leo. Kazi ya dimples ni ulevi, PR, uwizi na sherehe. Nairobi sea-ty haiwork," Babu Owino's statement reads.
2 Billion shillings was withdrawn from Nairobi County by Mr.Dimples to mitigate floods in Nairobi akakula Pesa.Hii ni Nairobi siku ya Leo.Kazi ya Dimples ni ulevi,PR,Uwizi na Sherehe.Nairobi sea-ty Haiwork pic.twitter.com/KhX7w67EJs— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) January 5, 2024
In September 2023, Sakaja launched the Preparedness and Response Marshall Plan and set aside at least Ksh300 million to mitigate the effects of the expected elevated short rains.
According to him, the launch had saved both the county and national governments at least Ksh2 billion.
Through the plan, the county government deployed more than 2,500 personnel dubbed Green Army, to provide environmental management services across the County, including storm drain clearing, garbage collection and related community services.
“In some areas, we unclogged water pathways and storm drainage systems that were full of garbage possibly accumulated over more than two decades,” Sakaja noted.
Adding;
“Looking back, we estimate that our El Niño Rapid Response Marshall Plan has potentially saved the County Government and the National Government more than Ksh2 billion. These funds would have been spent for emergency works and relief interventions had the El Niño Rapid Response Marshall Plan not been activated. By activating the Green Army, all the 80 potential hotspots had been appropriately treated to prevent flooding, displacement, and economic disruption.”
The floods at the CBD come as Kenya Meteorological Department forecast more rains in the coming weeks.
