Ever since Jane Anyango made a desperate plea to the government during the Nyando floods in 2012, her life has not been the same again.
The high pitched soprano of ‘Sirikali Saidia’ has become a new lingo and her face a national feature.
Many still recall that her house was swept by floods and that she couldn’t locate her husband.
Now Mama ‘Serikali Saidia’ as Kenyans nicknamed her has lived to tell her tale. She was recently appointed the new Flood Preparedness Ambassador for El Nino rains by Kisumu County Governor Jack Ranguma.
Anyango, who battled floods for over two decades, says she will ensure that no Kisumu resident flee their homes during rainy seasons.
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“I am happy and feel honoured to be considered for the job. I will do my best and beyond expectation as an ambassador,” said Anyango who was last month visited by Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa in her home to assess the level of the county’s El Nino preparedness.
Governor Ranguma said that Anyango was the best choice having fought the floods for years. “Given that she has been a perennial victim of floods, she has expressed desire to help in the advocacy to ensure we do not experience the worst impacts of the rains.”
Mama ‘Sirikali Saidia’ will undergo a short training on disaster preparedness and mitigation before commencing the campaigns on radio and public barazas.
“We depend on relief food and clothing as we battle the adverse conditions in the rescue centres, so this is an opportunity for everybody to get involved,” said Anyango.
