Eric Omondi launches flood rescue boat in Nairobi

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has launched a community-driven rescue initiative to save lives during flood emergencies in Nairobi, unveiling the “Sisi Kwa Sisi” rescue boat.

According to Omondi, the initiative comes in the wake of devastating floods that have swept across Kenya in recent weeks, leaving people dead and thousands displaced.

He has argued that all flood casualties could have been prevented if proper measures had been taken.

"This is Sisi kwa Sisi boat, you can call 0726 959111 if you need rescuing, if you are in trouble, or if you have an emergency, this boat will be available," he said.

"We have discovered that most people we lost during the floods did not die instantly; some died after two hours, some died after three hours, some after one hour. That means, there was enough time for someone to come to their rescue," he added.

In the recent floods, authorities revealed that at least 71 people have lost their lives, with adult men accounting for most of the fatalities.

In several incidents, victims were swept away in vehicles or trapped in flooded homes, while others died from electrocution as water levels rose rapidly.

Emergency responders, including the military and humanitarian agencies, have been deployed in rescue operations, but challenges in accessing affected areas have slowed response times.

Omondi explained that the “Sisi Kwa Sisi” rescue boat will be on standby across Nairobi and can be deployed to any location upon request through a dedicated hotline.

"This boat is now available in Nairobi. You can call it if you are in any part of Nairobi. Please save this number, and you can call it anytime because we do not know when the floods will come," he said

The vessel can carry up to 10 people and is designed to reach individuals stranded in flooded streets, vehicles, or residential areas.

He urged Kenyans to remain alert during the ongoing rainy season and to act quickly when they notice signs of danger.

“If you see people stuck in a vehicle or in places they can’t move, this boat will reach them,” he said, calling on the public to save the emergency number and share it widely.

The initiative has drawn praise online, with many Kenyans describing it as a timely and practical response to a recurring national crisis.

Others joked about the actions, asking whether Nairobi, a landlocked county with no large bodies of water, would be using boats from now on.

'Big work Erico, may God bless you abundantly,' read one of the comments.

As the rains persist and the risk of further flooding remains high, Omondi explains that the “Sisi Kwa Sisi” rescue boat serves as both a symbol of solidarity and a practical tool to help ensure fewer lives are lost in future disasters.