Country’s shame of disaster response played out at Lake Nakuru

The nation's biggest shame on poor disaster response and management unfolded in Nakuru following an helicopter crash at the world-famed Lake Nakuru National Park.

Since 6.30am when reports filtered out that a helicopter with five on board had crashed in the saline lake, the country watched in shock as leaders, Police officers, members of the provincial administration, Kenya Wildlife Service and journalists camped at the shores of the lake without any rescue efforts taking place for lack of divers and other equipment used in such rescue missions.

Just like the relatives and friends of the victims pilot Apollo Malowa, Antony Kipyegon, Sammy Gitau, John Mapozi and a female passenger only identified as Veronicah, they only hang on hope praying that the victims could swim to the shore.

“Disaster response in this country is disaster itself. Even if we had survivors, it has diminished any hope of rescuing any,” said John Kimani.

Nakuru county commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said they were waiting for Kenya Navy divers from Mombasa to respond to the emergency, Kenya Police emergency unit from Nairobi and speed boats from Lake Naivasha to help in the rescue mission.

“We are waiting for divers from kenya Navy in Mombasa and a police helicopter from Nairobi which can locate the exact position of the crashed chopper,” said Nkanatha at the shores of the lake.

The distance from Nakuru to Mombasa is 644kms; Nakuru to Nairobi 156km and from Nakuru to Naivasha is 90kms.

“Being a salty lake where no fishing activities taking place, there are no boats within the lake and we are waiting for speed boats from Lake Naivasha for the rescue mission to begin,” Nkanatha said.

Given that Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most toured parks in the country because it is famed for the pinked millions of flamingos, this incident is going to dent the image of the tourist attraction.

“It is unconceivable that such a facility has no emergency services. It is horrible to say the least,” said Mary Jelagat.

The victims were communication team allied to Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika who had just left a Nakuru hotel for a political rally in Narok which was to be attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, according to Mr David Kilo, chairman of Naivasha Boat owners Association, lack of command posts and preparedness in management of disaster within the lakes in the region is wanting.

“Nakuru hosts a variety of lakes including, Nakuru, Elementaita, Naivasha, Oloiden, Sonachi and Solai, a number which the County should be fully prepared in manning them in cases of disasters, however facilities in these lakes are still wanting,” he said.

Lake Naivasha, he said, is better equipped in terms of disaster management since it has four emergency boats on standby. However, personnel attending emergencies, he said, are volunteers and none have been employed by the County government.

As a result of incidences within Lake Naivasha, he said the management has started coordinating rescue operations

“Every lake should have at least divers and Rubber Dingy boats for rescue operations in shallow lakes rivers and even dams. Sadly, this is a sector that has been ignored despite the County having rich with lakes,” he said.

Efforts to obtain boats from Lake Naivasha has however been futile as all boats are suited for deep lakes.

“We have only dispatched volunteer personnel and divers since we do not have boats suitable rescue operations in shallow lakes like Lake Nakuru,” Mr Kilo said.

He added that most lakes are ill equipped with personnel trained on life-saving skills in cases of emergencies.

Efforts by the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) and Red Cross were thwarted by the lack of specialized equipment and had to wait for several hours for emergency facilities to arrive at the scene.

NDMU has activated a National Police Service chopper to support Nakuru County Disaster Team on search and rescue operation.

By the time of going to the press, no efforts had been made to rescue as neither the divers from Naval base in Mombasa nor the specialized police rescue helicopter from Nairobi had done anything special to locate the point of crash and victims.