Community-based solutions can save slums from floods

The news that raging floods in Nairobi took the life of Ashly Odhiambo, one of our students at Kibera School for Girls, and her mother on Saturday has hit me very hard. The two were killed after flash floods swept away a makeshift bridge they used to cross to their neighbour's house.

This brings the effects of climate change so close to home. Are we letting this to happen?

Kenya is not alone in this struggle. But while it is a global reality, the impact of climate change hits developing nations like ours the hardest, where urbanisation, population growth and informal settlements are exploding. This month alone, the Kenya Red Cross has so far reported 38 people killed and more than 11,000 displaced by floods alone.

I’m tired of seeing calls to action without proper plans for implementation. We must turn words into action and find solutions that work to safeguard children like Ashly.

I grew up in Kibera and have experienced first-hand how devastating floods can be. We didn’t have proper sewerage or drainage in the slum and it's cramped and hard to navigate. Floodwaters would sweep away our makeshift homes, shops and businesses, along with people, property and livelihoods.

With over five million residents in Nairobi slums, the destruction is uncontrollable. But although we may lack infrastructure, we stand strong in community. That is our lifeline. Community-based organisations (CBOs) are at the centre of this lifeline but the challenge is too big to tackle alone.

To protect and empower communities in our changing climate, CBOs need support from the public and private sectors, as well as key international players. We must abandon our disconnected approach to aid and come together as one. As the founder of Kenya’s leading CBO, let me share what action we need to see.

One, address needs appropriately. Rather than come in with top-down approaches created in the safety of office buildings, governments can save time, effort and resources by supporting existing community efforts. Two, our people—the "hustlers"—hold the solutions. Trust the people. Upgrade sewer and drainage systems.

Clogged sewers and storm drains are a major cause of flooding in urban Kenya. We need to map the flow of wastewater and rivers to build improved drainage pathways and empower our people to engage in proper waste disposal to avoid clogging. They must feel like owners—not beneficiaries.

Three, collaborate on disaster planning. Weather warnings aren't enough, and climate change is getting worse. We need preventative measures and effective responses. CBOs must be included in disaster planning and consulted when implementing solutions, even if provided by governments, development agencies or the private sector.

As we mourn Ashly and her mother, and continue to support all those affected by these floods, I call upon policymakers to collaborate with CBOs to act and give power to the people. Together, we can pull our communities out of survival mode.

Mr Odede, founder and CEO of Shofco, is a member of USAid Advisory Board, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and best-selling author. @KennedyOdede