JAMILA’S MEMO: Just how much rain does it take to float a boat?

My Memo tonight is about a warning that has been sounded about a looming corruption scandal. Soon after the Met. department sounded the warning about enhanced rainfall during this rainy season due to the El Nino phenomenon, we have already started seeing signs of yet another looting season.

Remember during the Covid-19 pandemic, there were scandals galore, involving several companies and billions of shillings that was unaccounted for? Sakata ambazo kufikia sasa hatuna taarifa kamili kuhusu hatma zake. While we are still reeling and trying to recover from those unfortunate series of incidents, there is a whiff of another scandal in the air.

After the announcement about the heavy rains across the country, the national government and counties have already started lining up all manner of projects to deal with the expected devastation.

Don't get me wrong, preparing is not a bad thing. In fact, we talk about early warning systems and how early preparations can help alleviate losses. Our past experience with the El Nino phenomenon has been agonising with stories of personal loss and devastation. Which is why any plans to deal with these effects are more than welcome.

But when you have the Ethics and Anti0-Corruption Commission (EACC) already issuing a warning about flouting of procurement laws, then we need to be very worried. In short, the anti-corruption body is warning about attempts by tenderpreneurs to take a ride to quick riches. The EACC has already received reports that there is a disregard of the law in the initiation and implementation of some mitigation measures, yaani huenda tayari kuna majaribio ya kukiuka sheria zilizoko.

The EACC is giving its own early warning as, get this, the counties have already asked for at least Ksh.15 billion to deal with the effects of the looming heavy rains. Ksh.15 billion is a lot of money. Which if EACC is right may be used inappropriately. And since a warning has been issued, unlike in the past when tunagutuka baada ya hela kupotea, sasa kuna nafasi ya kuhakikisha pesa hizo zinatumika kama inavyotakikana.

As we wait to see how the money will be spent and these mitigation measures, the Nairobi County government has announced plans to purchase motor boats, inflatable water rafts and boats to mitigate potential flood related crises amid the looming rains. On this, I have one question, how much rain does it take to float a boat?

I mean there are some measures that have been announced which make sense to me, like moving residents to safer places and planned prompt evacuations, these are good ideas. Which is why in my opinion purchasing motor boats and rafts should be at the bottom of our priority ladder when it comes to plans to deal with the El Nino rains.
History has taught us Kenyans that any disaster is an opportunity for the well connected to take a ride on the gravy train. This is an opportunity to just do the right thing, use the money as it should be used to help those who desperately need it, to help alleviate suffering and put every effort to ensure people's daily lives somehow remain normal, under the circumstances. I honestly pray that what I wish for is not wishful thinking, and that is it something that is actually possible.

That is my Memo!