By Eddah Waithaka
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for compensation for families evicted from riverside land in Nairobi following flooding.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday 13th May, LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned the forced eviction of people living on riparian land in Mukuru kwa Rueben.
“We have formally instructed one of our members to act on behalf of the family to ensure that they get justice for the heinous acts that led to the loss of this child’s life,” said Odhiambo.
Amid flooding in various regions of the country, the legal experts expressed concern for the safety of students as they prepare to return to school.
The legal experts found that more than 50 schools across the country had been flooded, with some schools inaccessible due to flooded access roads and structural damage to buildings.
“The President alluded to prioritising the rebuilding of schools and consulting with the Meteorological Department to ensure further preparations for the safe return of students to school. This leaves serious questions unanswered about the safety of students,” said Odhiambo.
“The lack of a clear national legal framework for disaster management has left the country ill-prepared to deal with the current catastrophic situation,” she added.
“We encourage members of the public to be vigilant at this time and we offer our legal support to any person affected by the conflicting government directives and their implementation of the current situation, who can contact the Law Society for legal aid if necessary,” she continued.
“We have set up a toll-free hotline that can be used by anyone affected by the enforcement of any of the directives by calling 0800-720434 and by members of the public seeking legal assistance by sending an e-mail to help@isk.or.ke,” concluded the Lsk President.
The group is also calling on the government to step back and reassess the policies that have been put in place.
“There must be responses to the current situation, not impulsive quick fixes to patch up the cracks. While the public interest in preventing the loss of life is as a result of the Directives, we maintain that the Constitution does not contemplate the protection of life at the expense of the enjoyment of a wide range of other fundamental rights.”
