Renowned Kenyan singer Sofiya Nzau, famous for her hit song “Mwaki,” has recently added her voice to the advocacy efforts for victims of the severe flooding in Nairobi, particularly in Mathare. Following heavy rains which led to devastating floods, many residents in the informal settlement of Mathare were displaced, with minimal assistance from the government.
Nzau, who also sang “Mwanake,” visited Mathare and shared her observations in a heartfelt video posted on Wednesday. She expressed shock at the dire situation, noting that many families have lost their homes and loved ones, while others have been separated and are living in makeshift shelters like churches and mosques.
“We found out that the situation in Mathare is really bad. So many families have lost their homes and each other, some have lost their loved ones to the floods… and some of them it’s the separation of husband and wife – the wife is living in a church and the husband is living in a mosque,” Nzau stated. She criticized the government’s inadequate response, highlighting that although affordable housing exists, it has not been made accessible to the displaced residents of Mathare.
In collaboration with a local CBO, the Mathare Social Justice Centre, Nzau is raising funds to construct a temporary shelter that will ease congestion in the few available areas where displaced persons are living. “If we can be able to build something for them to sleep in as they are figuring out their lives, because most of them lost their jobs,” she appealed.
The recent floods wreaked havoc across Nairobi, with Mathare being one of the hardest-hit areas. The Nairobi River broke its banks, submerging homes and causing significant property damage. Residents were forced to evacuate, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage to safer grounds.
In her advocacy, Nzau emphasizes the need for urgent government action to provide adequate housing and resources for those affected. Her efforts are part of a broader push to ensure that the voices of the displaced are heard and their needs addressed in the wake of this natural disaster.
