Kenyans Living in the US Join Hands as Hurricane Florence Hits North Carolina

Kenyans living in states hit by Hurricane Florence in the United States heeded to calls to move away from the areas.

So far, no Kenyan has been reported dead in the aftermath of the hurricane that hit the coastal cities of North and South Carolina on Friday morning.

Speaking to Daily Nation's Chris Wamalwa from Kari,Raleigh-Durham, John Wasike, a Kenyan who lives and works at a hotel in Wilmington, North Carolina said he parked everything he considered important from his house and left on Thursday morning.

“I left Wilmington like a woman leaving home after a disagreement with her partner. I didn’t want to wait to see what happens because if something happens to me, nobody will know as there are not many Kenyans in Wilmington," said Wasike who is being hosted by his childhood friend from Kitale in Kari.

Only a few Kenyans are said to be living in coastal towns affected by the hurricane with those in North Carolina and South Carolina, mostly residing in Raleigh, Charlotte and Charleston.

On Saturday, Captain George Njue, a Kenyan community leader who resides in Raleigh, said no Kenyan had been reported dead as a result of the hurricane.

Njue said Kenyans living in areas not affected by the hurricane agreed to host their compatriots from the coastal towns.

“Places like Raleigh and Charlotte are pretty far from either Myrtle Beach or Wilmington so they are likely to be spared the brunt force of the hurricane. That is why we encouraged Kenyans from those places to come and take cover over here," he said.

"This place is relatively safe despite the heavy rains and occasional loss of power."

Isaac Kuria, another Kenyan who also lives in Kari said his neighborhood experienced power outage as had been expected.

“We knew this was likely to happen so most people prepared adequately. Most people bought generators, torches and candles in case electricity was cut-off," Kuria said.

On Thursday, Kenyan-born immigration lawyer Jeff Matemu who stays in Raleigh sent a message to Kenyans based in North and South Carolina and Virginia urging them to heed to calls to evacuate.

“Please don’t think this is something you can ride out. The storm is proving to be deadly so don’t take chances,” Matemu, who is contesting a congressional seat for the 2nd District of North Carolina on a libertarian party ticket posted on social media.

“Anything can be replaced but not life," he added.