Rescue volunteer apologises for taking selfie in front of distressed flood victims

A humanitarian volunteer has apologised to Kenyans after sharing a selfie of herself and a friend while conducting rescue efforts at a flood-hit settlement.

Anita Joe, a volunteer, had joined the Kenya Red Cross team to conduct rescue efforts at an unnamed location when she posed for a selfie with a female friend - and then shared it on her X account.

In the selfie, the two women, who are wearing Red Cross reflector jackets, smile gleefully at the camera while a bunch of distraught Kenyans can be seen in the background, looking gloomy, despondent and lost in thoughts.

Kenyans roundly criticised Anita for the photo, terming it insensitive and inconsiderate of the feelings of the people in the surroundings.

When it was further reshared by popular X personality Cyprian Nyakundi, the attacks multiplied, with many even wrongfully blasting the Red Cross for condoning such tone deaf behaviour.

However, Anita Joe took to her X account to clarify the confusion, saying that she does not, in fact, work for the Red Cross and that she regretted taking the selfie amidst the evident devastation.

She also added that, whilst she was part of a “noble initiative,” she wasn't a registered volunteer with Red Cross - she only borrowed the red jacket.

"I wish I could take back the picture I posted yesterday of me being part of a noble initiative with Red Cross. I'd like to clarify that I'm not a Red Cross employee neither am I a registered volunteer with them," she wrote.

"I requested to wear one of the Red Cross emblems to make it easier for us to be identified as part of the team."

She added: "What I did was wrong and I sincerely apologize to everyone affected by the floods and the Red Cross team. I only took 2 photos with my phone and posted one of them."

As floods continue hammering different parts of the country, completely uprooting thousands from their homes and taking away lives, some Kenyans have joined hands with Red Cross and other registered relief bodies to help in the ongoing national rescue efforts.

At least 200 people have died due to the heavy rains, with hundreds others missing, according to the latest government figures.

In the most tragic single event, more than 50 people were killed last Monday after water blew through a blocked river tunnel under a railway line in Mai Mahiu, Rift Valley, causing a flash flood. 

The rain has displaced more than 190,000 people and damaged roads and other infrastructure.