In Summary
- Families yet to receive Government Support
- Disaster Response Team holds public forum with Mathare Residents
- Government has engaged different organisations from the private sector
Mathare residents of Friday ,19th July 2024, engaged representatives from a President appointed Disaster Response Committee .
The forum engaged community members who were recently affected by floods and the subsequent demolitions that followed
Read Also.: Families Affected By Demolitions In Mathare Receive Food Donation
Disaster Response Committee
The public participation forum aimed at gathering different views from Mathare residents.
The residents decried government’s negligence since the demolitions began months ago with a fraction saying they are still sleeping in the cold after their houses were demolished.
The disaster response commitee comprises different organisations from the private sector
Speaking at the event Dr Susan , Director World Resource Institute urged the resident to boldly point out how the recent demolitions have affected their livelihoods.
Additionally she informed the residents that the committee had other members including representatives from the Kenya association of Manufactures , Safaricom and many more from the private sector
The Kenya forest service was also represented in the public participation forum .
READ also: ”Demolitions leading To More Suffering” Mathare Residents
Solution Based Dialogue
Mathare residents aired their divergent views in a discussion that was pegged on issues around disaster management.
The residents urged the Government to engage the residents more .
Speaking at the forum Rachael Mwikali from the Coalition for Grasroot Human Rights defenders an organisation that has been vocal in supporting Mathare residents underscored the importance of community engagement in Government projects
” Hatukatai mambo ya development but ni muhimun watu wote wa the six Mathare wards watoe maoni , waskizwe” emphasized Mwikali
Additionally she said the recent waves of demolition and floods led to many families loosing their properties .
“Hi forum ni pahali wakaaji wanapewa fursa ya kuongea na government representatives ndio wajue vile mnataka mtaa iwe” added Mwikali
Rachael Mwikali also urged the government representatives present not to intimidate residents who boldly shared their views ,saying there has been frequent cases of abduction and intimidation to people who are speaking their bold truth and championing for change .
The views aired at the forum aim to shape the direction in which the Government takes in addressing the current crisis being faced by Mathare residents after the recent floods and demolition.
