The government has rolled out seven preparedness measures ahead of the October-December El Niño rains, warning that above-normal rainfall could trigger flooding, displacement, disease outbreaks and damage to critical infrastructure across several parts of the country.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said some counties, particularly in Western, Nyanza and North Eastern regions, could experience an early onset of the rains, prompting authorities to accelerate preparedness and response measures.
Under a National Contingency Plan developed with county governments, humanitarian organisations, security agencies and other disaster response partners, authorities have mapped areas considered most vulnerable to flooding and other rain-related emergencies.
The priority zones include riverine and low-lying areas, coastal counties, landslide-prone highlands, arid and semi-arid areas, northern Kenya and urban centres that routinely experience flooding.
Roads and transport infrastructure considered vulnerable have also been identified in North Eastern, Tana River, Coast, Western and Nyanza, Rift Valley, Turkana, Nairobi, Central and Eastern regions.
“This is enabling relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring, undertake preventive measures and improve response planning,” the ministry said.
Authorities have also stepped up the unclogging and desilting of drainage systems, culverts and water channels to reduce the likelihood of urban flooding.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority and other agencies are clearing identified choke points, while solid waste management programmes, including Climate WorX, are being deployed to keep drainage channels clear.
Preparations for possible evacuations are also underway in riparian areas and other high-risk locations. Temporary holding grounds have been identified for communities that may be displaced.
Officials are monitoring water levels in rivers and other water bodies, with particular attention being given to major dams and settlements along riverbanks.
At the same time, roads, bridges and critical utilities in flood-prone areas are being inspected to identify weaknesses that could worsen the impact of heavy rainfall.
The government is also strengthening community-level early warning systems through chiefs, assistant chiefs and Nyumba Kumi structures, which will be used to relay weather alerts and safety information to residents.
Public sensitization will focus on ensuring communities understand what to do before, during and after episodes of heavy rainfall.
Emergency supplies, including food, non-food relief items and medical supplies, are being positioned in strategic locations to enable faster intervention should communities be displaced.
Coordination between National Government Administration Officers, county governments, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the National Drought Management Authority, security agencies and health workers is also being strengthened.
Rapid response teams have meanwhile been placed on standby for search and rescue operations, evacuation and post-disaster assessments.
Despite the preparations, the government warned that the measures do not eliminate the threat posed by intense rainfall.
“Preparedness should not be mistaken for an absence of risk,” the ministry cautioned, noting that heavy rainfall could quickly overwhelm drainage systems, rivers and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
Authorities said flooding could still lead to displacement, destruction of livelihoods, infrastructure damage and, in severe cases, loss of life.
“We urge those living along river banks, riparian reserves, low-lying areas, areas prone to flash floods and landslides, and other identified high-risk locations to heed evacuation advisories and move to safer ground when directed to do so,” the government said.
Members of the public have also been asked to report blocked drains, rising water levels, damaged infrastructure and other emerging hazards to authorities.
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