Budget Committee gives State blank cheque to support flood victims

The Parliamentary Committee on Budget has given the government the green light to use as much funds as possible to address the current crisis caused by on-going rains.

The committee led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said that it would approve all the budgetary allocations used in assisting hundreds of victims affected by the rains.

This emerged when Ndindi led a group of MPs in visiting victims of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy as the death toll rose to 60 with 30 people missing.

This came as the government closed the Ngeya Secondary school camp, resettled over 50 households in rented houses while the remaining 36 families whose houses were demolished were taken to a nearby child’s home.

Addressing the victims, Ndindi termed the flooding as a national disaster which had left tens dead, hundreds displaced and property worth billions damaged.

He said that the law gave the government powers to use ten percent of the national budget on emergencies like resettling those affected and repairing roads even if this was not covered for in the budget.

“We are giving the government our support in using all funds available to assist Kenyans affected by the rains and we shall approve all the spending in Parliament,” he said.

Ndindi who donated Sh1m to the victims backed the promise by the President to resettle all those affected by the floods that have left a trail of destruction in the country.

“We support plans to relocate even schools affected by the floods and as the lives of Kenyans matter especially at this time when the country is facing heavy rains,” he said.

On his part, Garsen MP Ali Wario supported calls for use of more funds to support the thousands who had been displaced by the heavy rainfall.

“As a member of the budget committee fully back the State to use all available resources in assisting families hit by this queer weather conditions,” he said.

Gatundu South Mp Gabriel Kagombe hit out at some politicians who were using the flooding tragedy to gain political mileage noting that this was not the time to point fingers.

“This is not the time to seek political mileage at the expense of suffering Kenyans and we should join hands supporting all those affected,” he said.

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara said that the Naivasha tragedy had united the nation with the victims receiving monumental support from all corners of the country.

“The number of bodies recovered continues to rise by the day and there is no more hope of recovering survivors and the only thing left is standing with affected families,” she said.

Others who spoke were former nominated MP Wilson Sossion who called for an increase in budgetary allocation to support the rising numbers of flood victims.