Hundreds of students from Laikipia County took to the streets of Nanyuki Town for a 10 km walk to celebrate 60 years of humanitarian service in the country by the Kenya Red Cross Society. While flagging off the walk whose participants included a sizeable number of learners aged below ten years, Laikipia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Administration at the County Government Purity Kendi lauded the partnership with the devolved unit that has seen Red Cross officials make timely interventions as first responders during disasters. "For the 60 years, the Red Cross has played a significant role in responding to disasters in our county, and we are happy for the partnership with the County Government," said Kendi. The CECM highlighted some of the common disasters in Laikipia, including urban fires, flash floods and displacement resulting from clashes pitting farmers against armed herders. "It's important to sensitize everyone about issues of their safety.
Most of the time, we experience loss of lives due to lack of knowledge on how to respond during disasters," noted the CECM. Survivors of the disasters have received support in the form of food, shelter, beddings and medicine from the first responders even before the county and national governments make interventions. The Red Cross Society, a volunteer organisation, has also been instrumental in a greening campaign through the distribution and planting of tree seedlings in schools and within public institutions through school-based clubs. As part of the activities to mark the World Red Cross Society Day, participants brought business to a standstill at the Nanyuki main bus stage by staging a drill on accident victims' rescue. The drill that caught many unawares demonstrated the cooperation between first aiders, medics and firefighters in saving the lives of commuters and motorists during traffic accidents. By Muturi Mwangi
