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Red Cross branch denies it is broke

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Children from various schools in Nyeri County join the Kenya Red Cross Society Nyeri branch in a 10km walk on May 14, 2016. FILE Photo | JOSEPH KANYI | NMG

The Kenya Red Cross Society has come out to reassure the public of the charity's capacity to perform its duties amid claims of a cash crunch at its Nyeri branch.

The agency's central region manager, Gitonga Mugambi, dismissed the claims saying the organisation is adequately resourced to carry out disaster intervention in the devolved unit.

“We are complementary to the government and we have always responded with aid where it is direly required based on our evaluation,” Mr Mugambi said Thursday.

His comments come after sources within the branch claimed the aid organisation has been hit by financial constraints that affected its ability to respond to disasters in recent weeks.

'Shortages'

According to the insider, who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, the branch is also grappling with a shortage of personnel and equipment.

“Even in the recent fires and accidents we were not deployed to assist because of the problem at the branch. Whenever we enquire we are told that there is a policy to follow in giving aid,” said the source.

Moreover, the insider claimed that only seven of the staff serving Nyeri County are properly trained, leading to outsourcing of volunteers when responding to disaster.

Further, there are claims that the branch has failed to respond to some tragedies due to a policy dictating that relief aid should be given where ten or more households are affected.

Mr Mugambi, however, has strongly denied the claims saying the Red Cross arm is functioning normally and within its jurisdiction.

“I have more than 100 trained volunteers stretched in the whole county with 30 expertly trained as Red Cross Action Team...Policies are there for guide but we always look at vulnerability. In many times we have helped even one family,” he noted.

Defections

A number of volunteers have started to defect to another rescue team recently set up by a nominated Nyeri MCA.

Some who spoke to Nation said they opted to leave as they felt their services were not being adequately utilised.

“The reason we joined is to give support in times of disaster so it makes no sense being in an aid organisation and we are giving none. I would rather join this new one and we can build it together,” another volunteer added.

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