Tragic Fire Claims Life and Destroys Homes in AussenkehrNGO Council Advocates for Flood Alert Systems in Kenya

AUSSENKEHR – A fire at Aussenkehr farm in the ||Kharas Region tragically claimed the life of a 27-year-old man and destroyed 30 reed houses on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner Nikodemus Mbango, the Namibian Police Force’s crime investigations coordinator for the region, identified the deceased as Willem Shiyoleni. The fire, which reportedly originated from Shiyoleni’s house, broke out around 01h30. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Community members responded quickly, managing to extinguish the flames, but not before the destruction of numerous homes.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), In a separate incident in Karasburg, a 28-year-old man, Jujean Bradley Jager, was found deceased in his room in an apparent suicide. According to Mbango, Jager’s body was discovered by his niece in the Westerkim residential area on Monday, around 12h45. He had returned home from work and was later found by his niece after asking for his room key. The families of both Shiyoleni and Jager have been notified of their losses. The police are continuing investigations into both cases to determine the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.

Nairobi: The NGO Council of Kenya, headquartered in Nairobi, has issued a call for the establishment of an efficient flood and heavy rain alert system. This initiative aims to safeguard residents in high-risk areas by enabling timely evacuations ahead of potential flood situations. The announcement was made from their Nyayo house office in Nairobi.

According to Kenya News Agency, the council has already been instrumental in disseminating warnings to communities at high risk through various channels including social media, public address systems, and community health volunteers. During a Tuesday meeting, Cheboi emphasized the need for additional safety measures to minimize loss of life in flood-affected areas.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall and storms across the country, putting several counties, such as Garissa, Makueni, Tana River, and Kilifi, at heightened risk of flooding. This situation poses a significant threat to both lives and livelihoods. In response, Cheboi praised President William Ruto for convening a cabinet meeting that led to the allocation of emergency flood funds to the affected counties. He further urged the government to allocate more resources to handle such emergencies.

Cheboi underscored the vital role played by NGOs and their partners in offering humanitarian assistance in various critical areas for societal and global betterment. He highlighted the urgency and necessity for immediate action and assistance to all Kenyans in the face of the current disaster.

Also speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Ngera, Chairperson for Water and Sanitation in the NGO Council, suggested the evacuation of communities residing along riverbanks to prevent further disaster due to rivers overflowing. He pointed out that such an initiative would require the involvement of the Ministry of Land.

The council also reminded the National Government of the urgent need for access to water, sanitation, shelter, and rescue tools for those displaced by the floods. In a collaborative effort, the NGO Council and the Global Partnership Organisation (GPO) have launched a humanitarian action, establishing Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to address and manage humanitarian crises in high-risk communities.

In conclusion, Cheboi called for collaboration among NGOs at both national and county levels, urging them to work alongside county governments, the National Government, and the National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) to effectively respond to the crisis.