ODM Leader Raila Odinga has come out to comfort and condole with the families affected by the raging floods - affecting various parts of the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the opposition chief noted that hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens across the country have suffered devastating losses and face enormous challenges now and even in the immediate future.

"The destruction caused by the raging floods across the country is overwhelming, heartbreaking and unbelievable. Its impact will be far reaching and long lasting.

"We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to those who are suffering as a result of this tragedy. We pray for and wish success to those involved in difficult search and rescue missions in shifting waters arid storms across the country," Odinga said.

He assured Kenyans that the party is mobilising friends and concerned well wishers to help as much as they can. 

"A number of our leaders are holding fundraisers and we will do what we can to support their efforts. We are also encouraging our networks to feel free to contribute to the national relief efforts particularly through the Red Cross or other accountable organizations that arc providing assistance," the statement read in part.

The ODM leader criticised the government for failing to prepare adequately for such occurrences despite the existence of forewarning. He challenged the accountability of the government in planning for and executing priority issues.

"These floods, unprecedented in many ways, have laid to bare our country's failure to properly plan particularly for weather and climate change driven disasters and the underinvestment in infrastructure and social welfare across the country. The situation therefore calls for accountability and a reordering of our priorities as a country," Odinga said.

He called upon the government to ensure all vulnerable people during this season get access to all basic needs.

"For the days ahead and as the rains continue, we ask the government to be proactive, clear the confusion being witnessed, end duplication and unnecessary competition within its ranks and create clarity over roles and responsibilities in the response and incident management system".

He urged the government to ensure better communication channels - enabling all levels of government and relevant humanitarian agencies to deliver faster, better care.

Odinga called out the government for talking big on climate change, yet the floods have caught the country unprepared.

"Despite the fact that the Meteorological Department had accurately predicted the coming heavy is and storms, there were no advance contingency plans. We have therefore been reduced to planning, searching and rescuing at the same time.

""As a formation, we will help foster debate on this matter in the days and months ahead and force the country to confront failure to learn as a national emergency and scourge," the statement read.