WCC News: Kenyan churches open places to pray and shelter for flood survivors

Churches in Kenya are opening places to pray and congregate for thousands of people displaced by floods that have killed more than 200 people. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 01 May 2024 Religious leaders spoke at a news conference in Nairobi on 30 April, amidst a government warning that the flooding and deaths were real, and ordered the people to evacuate to safer grounds. “The lives of hundreds of Kenyans have been destroyed. We mourn with all the bereaved. We continue to pray for quick recovery of all the affected families,” said Rev. Thegu Mutahi, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. “Our places of worship across the country are open at all times to house and support all who have been displaced.” “We are mobilizing worshippers in our congregations to collect relief materials to share with the affected families,” he added. In one of the most catastrophic incidents, an overflowing reservoir killed 51 people in Mai Mahiu area in central Kenya. The excessive water from the reservoirs rampaged through three villages, destroying 100 homes. By 1 May, over 50 people were still missing. “The floods have been extremely destructive, especially in Mai Mahiu,” said Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya. “We are making appeals to Kenyans to come out and aid those who are affected. We are also talking to our local and international partners.” Climate scientists say the heavy rains in Kenya are resulting from global climate change. Recently, due to the phenomenon, rains and dry seasons have become more intense. In Kenya, the rain began in mid-March. Since then, an estimated 150,000 people have been displaced by floods and over 190,000 badly affected by the disasters, according to the government. On 30 April, a government spokesman said that 169 people had died from floods and at least 91 were still missing. President William Ruto said the government had mobilized its agencies to facilitate evacuation from high-risk flood areas. “We are asking people residing in such areas to move. The forecast is that the rains will continue, and the likelihood of flooding and loss of lives is real. Therefore, we must prevent this,” said the president while visiting the affected area in Mai Mahiu. Floods are also occurring in Tanzania, Burundi, and parts of Uganda. Tanzania has lost 155 people to the floods, while over 100,000 have been displaced in Burundi, according to reports.  Rev. Nicta Lubaale, general secretary of the Organization of the African Instituted Churches said the deadly impacts of climate change were recurring. “Clearly it remains the same reality, the impacts of climate change, yet with increasing suffering,” said Lubaale. “The adaptive capacity of households and local communities is key.” WCC member churches in Kenya See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland