NAIROBI, Kenya — Mike Sonko, leader of the National Economic Development Party, has pledged to support families who lost loved ones in the ongoing floods in Nairobi by facilitating burial arrangements for victims.
Speaking at his Upper Hill office on Tuesday, Sonko said his Sonko Rescue Team will assist families of 27 flood victims whose bodies have been identified at city morgues.
The former Nairobi governor announced that the team will provide coffins and transportation to enable the bodies and relatives to travel to their rural homes for burial.
“I want to stand with the families of the deceased. It is sad that they had to lose their loved ones in such a manner. Through the Sonko Rescue Team, we shall provide coffins and transport the bodies and family members to whichever part of the country they wish to bury their loved ones,” Sonko said.
Meeting Grieving Families
Sonko met several bereaved families at his office, offering condolences and promising financial assistance to help cover funeral costs.
Among them was the family of Jerome Mutua, one of the victims who died during the flooding.
“Sorry for your loss, mum. I will cater for the coffin expenses, transportation to the place where you will bury your son, and if there are any pending bills, we shall help settle them,” Sonko told the grieving mother.
The Sonko Rescue Team is expected to visit Nairobi City Mortuary to coordinate the transportation of the bodies and support affected families.
Criticism of Political Response
During the address, Sonko also criticised political leaders for what he described as the politicisation of the flooding crisis, urging them to focus on providing relief to affected residents.
“When I was governor, we made it a habit to unclog drainage to ease flooding. Instead of leaders coming together to help, some are busy politicizing the issue. That is wrong. Let us come together and do what is supposed to be done,” he said.
Flood Impact Across Nairobi
Heavy rainfall in recent days has caused widespread flooding in several parts of Nairobi, damaging property, displacing families, and leading to loss of life.
Emergency responders have been conducting rescue operations while authorities continue to warn residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground.
The flooding highlights ongoing urban infrastructure challenges in the capital, including drainage capacity, rapid urbanisation, and settlement in riparian zones, which have repeatedly worsened the impact of seasonal rains.
