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To save lives in the future, the government last week ordered evacuations and the demolition of structures and buildings that had been built illegally within 30 meters (98 feet) of riverbanks. Officials say that at least 181,000 people have been moved since last week and that measures have been taken to provide temporary shelter, food and other essentials.
But the demolitions have led to more suffering as those affected say they are being carried out in a chaotic and inhumane way. At least three people have died in the past week when bulldozers brought down structures on top of them, according to rights groups, family members of the deceased and residents who spoke to The Associated Press.
Among those killed was Makinda's 17-year-old son, Ian Otieno, who was crushed to death when an excavator brought down a wall of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa church while he was inside helping save property.
"The driver of the excavator refused to listen to the pleas by the women that there were children inside the church," Makinda said amid sobs.
"I am really bitter because police stood by as people looted my belongings," Otondo said from a local primary school where she has received temporary shelter.
Otondo says she has not received the $75, and even if she did, it wouldn't cover her rent and is a drop in a bucket compared with the $6,000 in losses from her property that was looted. She also wondered why the building was demolished despite it not being within 30 meters of the riverbank.
The government has defended itself against opposition accusations it was ill-prepared for the impact of the floods despite early warnings.
"I don't think anyone would be prepared for the weather extremes we are seeing," Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said in an interview with local broadcaster Citizen TV. "Some parts of this country have never seen floods before."
Experts say the devastating rains are a result of a mix of factors, including the country's seasonal weather patterns and human-caused climate change, as well as natural weather phenomena.
However, observers point out that the government received early warnings of the floods from the metrological department in October.
"This is hypocrisy and insensitivity of the highest order," said rights activist Boniface Mwangi. "The government knew the floods were coming, and even set aside 10 billion [$76 million] to prepare a nationwide response. What happened to those funds?"
He said the government also abdicated its responsibility by allowing the building of houses on land near rivers and swamps.
"Greed is the reason people are dying. Corrupt civil servants approved and issued title deeds for riparian lands," he said.
And amid the death and destruction caused by floods, the government is demolishing houses in the name of bringing development through a government affordable housing program, he said.
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"Demolishing people's homes in the name of affordable housing is a sign that we have a tone-deaf government. People living in shanties can't afford to pay for houses costing millions. Their entire life's wages can't buy any of the houses the government is building," Mwangi said.