Resilience Amidst Devastation: Life After the 2024 Floods in Kenya

The 2024 floods in Kenya’s Mathare slum caused widespread destruction, displacing over 7,000 residents and claiming many lives. Survivors, like Doreen Achieng, faced emotional and economic challenges after losing homes and livelihoods. The situation worsened due to the El Niño phenomenon and increased vulnerabilities in informal settlements. Community resilience and government programs offer hope for rebuilding lives and infrastructure, but comprehensive planning is essential for future disaster preparedness.

In Nairobi’s Mathare, the informal settlement faces severe aftermath from floods during the rainy season of March to May 2024, which led to significant destruction and displacement of its residents. The floods resulted in over 7,000 people being displaced, the loss of lives, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.

Doreen Achieng, a survivor, describes her harrowing experience of the floodwaters that rose overnight, forcing her to evacuate with her children while losing her home and livelihood as a food vendor. The floods took a toll on the community, as 294 fatalities were recorded across Kenya, with severe effects felt in informal settlements like Mathare, Kibera, and Mukuru.

Edward Okoth, another flood victim, recounts his struggles in a temporary shelter, highlighting food shortages and harsh living conditions. The floods, exacerbated by El Niño, reveal the vulnerability of many Kenyan communities to extreme weather events, particularly in poverty-stricken areas.

The El Niño phenomenon, characterized by superheated ocean waters, disrupts global rainfall patterns, intensifying flooding risks in regions such as Kenya. At the same time, the expansion of informal settlements aggravates exposure to flooding and climate impacts, according to a report by the Kenya Meteorological Department.

Recent droughts followed by heavy rainfall have left many in Kenya facing chronic food insecurity. Sharon Dimanche from the International Organization for Migration notes that climate-induced displacement is increasing in Kenya and the Horn of Africa, with millions affected due to climatic conditions.

The March-to-May floods disproportionately affected women and children, with reports highlighting increased vulnerabilities for breastfeeding mothers and children. Save the Children identified significant neglect and school dropout rates in affected populations, further exacerbating the situation for families dealing with emotional trauma.

The government’s response to the floods, which included forced relocations from flood-prone areas, has left many residents feeling abandoned, as homes were demolished before they could rebuild. Okoth expressed his despair about the lack of alternatives as he was left homeless again after the evictions.

Despite the loss, survivors are showing resilience by transforming their former homes into vegetable gardens and participating in government initiatives designed to rehabilitate urban river ecosystems while creating jobs for the youth. This ClimateWorX initiative aims to increase employment and improve environmental conditions, with plans to expand job opportunities significantly.

Local leaders emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies and community involvement in urban planning to prevent future disasters. The lingering scars of the floods remind residents of their challenges, yet many believe that with sufficient support and infrastructure improvements, they can overcome these adversities and build a more stable future.

The 2024 floods in Mathare, Kenya, highlight the vulnerability of informal settlements to extreme weather exacerbated by climate change. Many residents faced loss of lives and livelihoods, while women and children suffered disproportionately. With government initiatives and community resilience, there is hope for recovery, but long-term solutions must be prioritized to mitigate future disasters.

Original Source: dialogue.earth