Resquebnb is a new ‘Airbnb’ connecting stranded Kenyans to food & shelter in election-related violence hotspots

Ushahidi.com was launched by a group of volunteers to map post election violence after Kenya’s disputed general election in December 2007. Ten years later, Resquebnb has launched to connect stranded Kenyans to food and shelter after election-related violence claimed over 20 lives leaving several injured and stranded in the capital Nairobi and Kisumu town in western Kenya.

Resquebnb, coined from rescue and bed and breakfast or bnb as made popular by Airbnb, the global short accommodation marketplace is a collaborative initiative by social media enthusiasts and humanitarian volunteers led by Kenyan developer Tevin Otieno. and Twitter user @MissNyawira. The site, now in its raw form, is being used to raise cash and food donations as well as connect stranded Kenyans to temporary accommodation from willing but vetted volunteers for both sexes.

“We are a community seeking to map, match and connect those in need of help with willing volunteer hosts following the just concluded #ElectionsKE2017,” the team posted on its website allowing users to either host or ask for shelter.

The site has partnered with Kenya’s on-demand B2B courier firm Sendy to help get donations to those in need for free. Food donations can be dropped off at any Uchumi outlet while cash donations can be channeled through mobile crowdfunding platform M-Changa though its Lipa Na Mpesa PayBill number 891300  and account number 13923 or via Airtel Money though Paybill Business Name: MCHANGA and reference 13923.

By the end of Sunday, the M-Changa donations had surpassed the volunteers target of Ksh. 150,000.

The platform might not help everyone affected in the violence as most of the victims are low income slum dwellers who might not afford the data to be online now but it’s a positive contribution to save lives as Police and pro-government militia slam violence to opposition demonstrators who feel their victory was stolen.  The opposition led by Raila Odinga claimed the post-election protests have claimed over 100 lives while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said just 24 people have been killed. However, Police spokesman George Kinoti said the the force had only recorded six deaths. Kenyans have been infuriated by news of a ten-year old girl who was shot and killed by a stray bullet at her parents house in Mathare slums.

There have been reports of police and the goons breaking into peoples homes to quell the opposition demonstrators.

We have partnered with @SendyMobile to help get your donations to those in need. Any donations in kind are appreciated. #hostrescueke pic.twitter.com/ViaM1R6a1Z

— N Y A W I R A (@MissNyawira) August 13, 2017