Kenyans pay taxes, they deserve better services

The recent raging floods witnessed in the Nairobi city center was the most devastating and distressing. This comes days after the meteorological department warned of the possibility of unusually heavy rains. Despite the indications and having experienced storm-related disasters, we went on with our normal laissez-faire, until the rains struck and there was nothing to be done.

Although some may reason that storms and natural calamities are acts of God we have little or no control over, the seasonal rains had been expected and anticipated by farmers getting ready to plant their crop.

Many of the drains in our busy highways had not been unclogged before the onset of seasonal rains. Little had been done to prevent electricity sub-stations from severe flooding effects caused by rain. Citizens, especially the social media fanatics, shared photos and updates describing their misfortunes while the average Kenyan went into complain mode, blaming public officials for their misfortunes.

Our successive years of neglecting our drainage and sewer system, chaotic city planning, our near-laughable disaster preparedness as a city, corruption and lethargy mocked at our helplessness as nature poured its anger on us.
Granted, planning authorities routinely approve plans for construction without a care about environmental consequences. The reality is that the citizen is a major participant in most disastrous processes. An example is the obnoxious habit of throwing garbage out of car windows, boots or just leaving it at certain places. The end result is blocked drains and inevitable flooding. The county government, and the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company have the duty to ensure our drainage system is always unclogged and expanded enough to handle flood water.

City residence deserve better services since they pay their rates promptly without complaints. The citizens should not abandon civic responsibility for their own safety. Safety starts with me and you.