It's a dog's life for those living in camps, shelters

Hundreds of Kenyans are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that have left them in makeshift camps with poor hygiene and overcrowding. The displaced residents, now at Huruma grounds in Mathare, are facing a dire situation with inadequate sanitation facilities and a lack of basic necessities.

Poor hygiene, crowded tents and lack of toilets is the new reality of hundreds of Kenyans held in camps after floods swept away their homes in Nairobi.

Sounds of wailing babies, images of pregnant women and seemingly hungry children are common at the holding camps as they come to terms with the new realities.

President William Ruto on Monday pledged that each household will get Sh10,000 to ease their pain.

On Tuesday, The Standard learnt that the affected families have been asked to seek shelter away from the camps.

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But by last evening, it was not clear whether the new shelter will be funded by the government.

It was also not clear when the government would only release the said money. And with growing fears of a disease outbreak women and children, are left to the mercies of well-wishers for food donations.

Some of the displaced individuals are being hosted in the holding camps established by the Kenya Red Cross in Huruma Grounds, Mathare.

Betty Barasa, a pregnant woman and a mother of four said whenever it rains, the water flows through the tent messing up their shelters.

“Some of us do not have mattresses or blankets, when floods came, it swept everything and we were not able to salvage anything,” said Barasa.

Barasa said she was told at the hospital she is supposed to give birth this month, but wondering where to take the child once born.

“I am expecting my baby anytime this month, I do not have anywhere I call home to take my child, I would not like to give birth while still here at the camp. Everything was carried away by the floods, I am asking the government to please help us get our lives back,” said Barasa.

Rose Mueni, a mother of five, said the sanitation in the place is poor and they are struggling.

“We do not have water; we want to take a bath but that is not possible. There are no toilets, yet, some of the people, including my child, are experiencing diarrhea,” said Mueni.

Mueni explained that the raging waters carried everything including the critical documents like the Identification Documents and birth certificates.

“The raging waters carried everything including children books and uniform, we would like to relocate to hustle and get ready for our children to go back to school and rebuild our lives but we are not able to,” said Mueni.

She said that they are being asked to get houses where they can relocate to but the circumstances cannot allow.

“We are told to look for where to settle. At this time, houses have hiked rents because they know most of us were affected and looking for places to settle. The government support in this regard is helpful but not sufficient,” said Mueni.