The Murang’a county government has disbursed Sh520,000 from its Emergency Fund to 52 residents affected by landslides and fire tragedies.
The cash is meant to help the victims rebuild their lives.
Deputy Governor Stephen Munania said the money is not meant to fully compensate the affected families but to provide immediate relief and enable them to recover from the disasters.
“We are not doing full compensations. What we are doing is providing them with the capability of being able to move on with their lives by providing them with a small token that can help them gather themselves within the community,” Munania said.
The deputy governor said the Emergency Fund was established to support residents affected by disasters such as landslides, floods, fires and other calamities.
It has previously been used to assist fire victims and traders whose businesses were destroyed during protests. It is often activated whenever disasters occur.
“The Murang’a County Emergency Fund was created to take care of those who have been affected by landslides, fire, floods and other calamities,” Munania said.
He said all beneficiaries were identified and vetted by the Kenya Red Cross in collaboration with national government officials including chiefs and assistant chiefs, to ensure only genuine victims benefit.
“The criteria that we have used is on a need-to-need basis. These people have been vetted by the national government and also through assessments conducted by the Kenya Red Cross,” he said.
Among the beneficiaries was Full Gospel Churches of Kenya pastor John Njema, whose church was destroyed after a landslide caused a retaining wall to collapse onto the building in Kiru, Mathioya subcounty.
“We are very grateful because the governor’s office has remembered us. The money will help us continue with the reconstruction of our church,” Njema said.
Another beneficiary, Mary Wambui who is also from Kiru recalled waking up on May 5 to find her coffee bushes and food crops swept away by a landslide.
She said the financial support will help her family begin recovering from the losses, although they still require food assistance.
“The little support from the county will go a long way in helping us get back on our feet. We would also appreciate food aid as we plan our next course of action,” Wambui said.
Heavy rains in May triggered a series of landslides across Murang’a county, particularly in Mathioya, Kangema and parts of Kigumo, leaving one person dead and hundreds displaced. Many homes, churches and farms were destroyed.
