‘Northern Kenya is in desperate need of your political goodwill,’ MP Harun pens letter to Ruto

In the letter posted on X on Sunday, November 26, Harun emphasized critical issues affecting the region, which include cut-off roads in three counties, soaring fuel prices, and families facing acute starvation.

"I am writing to bring to your attention the dire situation in Northern Kenya following the persistent rains that have now lasted for a month. Despite numerous warnings from the Meteorological Department, the region is grappling with severe consequence," the letter read in part.

Furthermore, she expressed concern about the imminent threat of the main Garissa-Tana River Bridge being washed away, isolating the entire region.

This follows a warning issued by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on November 25, urging caution from motorists and pedestrians after the Tana River burst its banks affecting road sections.

“As of last night, we were actively searching for a boat to assist a stranded elderly man, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The threat of the main Garissa-TanaRiver Bridge being washed away looms large, which would effectively isolate the region,” read part of the statement.

The nominated MP also urged President Ruto to swiftly declare the floods a national disaster, revealing the vulnerabilities in infrastructure affecting over 4 million people.

She stressed the vulnerability of mothers in remote areas and called for immediate deployment of resources from relevant offices and ministries, expressing disappointment in the reliance on International Non-Governmental Organization (INGOs) like the Red Cross, whose resources are already stretched thin.

“We need immediate resources from relevant offices and ministries, including Kenya Wildlife Services, National Police Service, and Fisheries, to be fully deployed on the ground. It's disheartening that the fully operational teams are primarily from disaster response INGOs like Red Cross, whose resources, she said, are already stretched thin across the affected counties,” she noted.

In addition, Harun appealed for the government's political goodwill and questioned the existing marginalization beyond resource allocation.

“It is disconcerting that we must implore the National Government to declare this a national disaster,” she said.

Moreover, Harun urged President Ruto to visit Northern Kenya, particularly addressing the urgency for dams and resilient roads capable of withstanding natural disasters.

President Ruto chaired an El Nino  emergency response meeting on Monday with his Cabinet, aimed at addressing the nationwide impact of floods. 

The meeting comes on the heels of aerial footage shared by the Kenya Red Cross on X on Sunday, November 26, revealing submerged parts of Garissa town.

As of now, over 70 lives have been lost, and more than 80,000 households have been displaced across 33 affected counties.