One of Kenya’s worst hit flood victims has been appointed the Flood Preparedness Ambassador for Kenya’s Kisumu County located in the western region, to help in sensitizing the public on how to deal with the expected El-Nino rains.
Jane Anyango Adika, more popularly known as Mama Sirkal, came to the limelight in 2012 due to her rather comical but heartfelt plea to the government to help her after she was rendered homeless by raging floods.
“We have taken this initiative to ensure that the people get the information on floods from a simple perspective and a familiar face,” said Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma.
Kisumu County has set aside about $684,325 for the mitigation process that will begin after Adika completes her training on disaster preparedness.
Adika became a hit after heavy rains swept her house and belonging away in 2012. She complained of not knowing where her children and husband were, and pleaded for the government’s help.
It is her way of pleading for the help that amused Kenyans.
She became so popular that her sound clip was even embedded in music mixes by Music Deejays, and has become a constant sound in clubs.
Due to the tragedy however, her life changed for the better when corporate organizations decided to use her for their advertisements.
The country’s telecommunications giant Safaricom had her feature in a commercial.
Kenya’s Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa also visited her home to assess the level of preparedness in the county ahead of the expected El Nino rains.
