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Mathare-based activist Benna Buluma is among 10 people who have died in Mathare floodwaters following heavy rains experienced on the night of Tuesday, April 23.
The late Buluma alias Mama Victor's body was one of the bodies recovered from River Mathare on Wednesday, April 24, as search for eight more bodies intensified.
The Defenders Coalition, a humanitarian organisation blamed her death on the casual handling of the floods by the government and authorities involved.
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"Mama Victor joins a long list of Kenyans that have lost their lives recently following high rainfall, whose flow is casually simply not managed at all by the relevant government authorities and its wanting leadership," the humanitarian group mourned.
According to the Defenders Coalition, she was expected to attend the launch of the 2023 Missing Voices Coalition Report on the state of extrajudicial killings in Kenya but did not show up.
"Uncomfortable murmurs regarding her whereabouts and safety as her phones were unanswered triggered a search at Mathare North where she lived with her family. Eventually, her body was traced with other bodies victims of flooding. This is deeply concerning," the statement read.
After losing her two sons in extra judicial killings in 2017, she opted to speak up about cold-blooded killings by the police.
Despite the pain of losing her sons, she formed a network of Justice Warriors of Mothers whose sons were victims of police brutality and killings.
"Despite the unimaginable pain of losing her sons, Mama Victor inspired countless others who have suffered similar losses under the hands of the police killings and brutality," read the statement.
According to organisation, the network had expanded its reach in communities around Nairobi including Kayole, Mukuru, Dandora, Kibera, and Kariobangi under her leadership.
Mathare residents sought refuge on rooftops after their houses were flooded, and netizens called out the government for failing to help the stranded residents.
Kenya Red Cross intervened in the situation and rescued 18 residents comprising of seven children and 11 adults.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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Bella Buluma, Mathare-based activist and (r) and Kenya Red Cross rescuing residents in various parts of Nairobi following floods
RIP: Woman who became activist after sons were shot dead, killed by
Nairobi: Renowned Activist Benna Buluma alias Mama Victor Dies in