Senator Cherargei Defends Sakaja Over Flood Situation: "It's A Historical Issue From 1963"

• Nandi senator Samson Cherargei said Governor Johnson Sakaja was not to blame over the flooding in the capital
• According to the outspoken UDA politician, the current flooding was a historical issue that cannot be easily resolved
• The senator argued that the rivers in various parts are trying to reclaim their rightful path hence occasioning the floods

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Nandi senator Samson Cherargei has defended Governor Johnson Sakaja over the heavy flooding in the capital.

During a press briefing on Thursday, April 25, the outspoken senator said the current flooding is a historical issue.

Main cause of floods in Nairobi

According to Cherargei, flooding began in 1963 after Kenyans built structures on riparian lands.

He claimed the current floods in Nairobi are being witnessed because rivers are reclaiming their rightful paths.

"I have seen people blaming Governor Sakaja, but the problem we are having in Nairobi began in 1963; you cannot resolve it now the way people are blaming Sakaja's administration. Because there is no flooding in Nairobi, I am surprised to hear people say there are floods.

There cannot be floods when people have built on riparian lands. What is happening is that the water is reclaiming its path. Currently, places witnessing floods were previously riparian lands," Cherargei said.

The senator stated that counties need to be careful when approving building plans to avoid similar situations in future.

"What I can advise county governments across the country is that before giving building plans and approvals, find out if it is riparian land," he added.

Why Rigathi Gachagua defended Sakaja

In related story, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said their political opponents should stop politicising the floods in Nairobi.

His remarks came days after education analyst Janet Ouko said the flooding in Kenya should be blamed on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), for settling on Sakaja.

According to her, UDA should take responsibility for the floods in the county, for settling on Sakaja, despite his questionable academic history.

She said the party should offer the residents an apology for imposing the governor on them, instead of complaining.

What to Know about the Floods:

• The county has listed roads affected by the floods.
• Mathare-based activist died in the floods in Mathare.
• ODM leader Raila Odinga donated KSh 1 million to flood victims.
• More than 10 bodies were retrieved from Mathare River.

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Collage of Senator Samson Cherargei (l) and destruction of floods in Mathare (r0

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