Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards/HANDOUTThe Ministry of Health has intensified preparations to mitigate health risks associated with anticipated heavy rainfall, flooding and displacement during the 2026/2027 El Niño season.
The measures are being implemented under the Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan, which brings together the national and county governments, emergency agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners to prepare for and respond to potential flood-related health emergencies.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said the coordinated approach is intended to help reduce illness and deaths by strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate, detect and respond to health threats linked to the expected weather conditions.
Particular attention has been given to water- and food-borne diseases that can increase when flooding contaminates drinking water sources and sanitation systems.
“These include typhoid, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and other diarrhoeal illnesses, which can increase when floodwater contaminates drinking-water sources and sanitation systems,” she said in a press statement.
According to the Ministry, county health teams are being supported to strengthen disease surveillance, investigate alerts and deploy rapid-response teams when necessary.
Emergency warning systems, mobile data collection and daily situation reports will also be used to support timely decision-making as the situation develops.
The Ministry is further enhancing laboratory preparedness by strengthening testing capacity, sample referral networks and the availability of reagents and rapid diagnostic kits for priority diseases, including cholera and typhoid.
Mobile laboratory support will also be deployed to areas where additional capacity is required.
The Ministry said essential medicines, laboratory supplies, infection-prevention materials, nutrition commodities and emergency kits are being quantified, procured, stockpiled and pre-positioned at regional, county and health facility levels.
Alternative delivery arrangements will also be used to reach areas that could become difficult to access because of flooding.
Measures have also been put in place to protect water and sanitation services.
“Essential medicines, laboratory supplies, infection-prevention materials, nutrition commodities and emergency kits are being quantified, procured, stockpiled and pre-positioned at regional, county and facility levels,” the PS said.
“Alternative last-mile delivery options will support hard-to-reach areas.”
The Ministry said preparedness efforts include water-quality surveillance, chlorination and disinfection of contaminated water sources, provision of household water-treatment supplies and deployment of mobile water-treatment units where necessary.
Handwashing facilities and mobile toilets will also be provided in affected areas, alongside community education on safe water storage, sanitation and hygiene.
Health facilities are meanwhile being encouraged to strengthen contingency plans and referral systems while preparing ambulance and evacuation arrangements, temporary and mobile clinics and backup power.
The measures will also seek to maintain essential services for pregnant women, children, older persons, people with chronic conditions and other vulnerable groups during emergencies.
The Ministry said Community Health Promoters and Primary Care Networks will play a key role in preparedness by sharing early-warning messages and promoting household water treatment and food hygiene.
They will also identify danger signs and link affected households to health services.
The government is working with county governments and partners including the Kenya Red Cross Society, National Disaster Operations Centre, National Disaster Management Unit, KEMSA and KEMRI.
The Ministry has urged members of the public, particularly those living in flood-prone areas, to take precautions by treating drinking water, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding food exposed to floodwater.
It has also advised people to seek medical attention early if they develop persistent fever, severe headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, profuse watery diarrhoea, blood in stool, unusual weakness or signs of dehydration.
The Ministry further urged the public to follow evacuation and safety instructions, avoid walking or driving through floodwater and rely on information issued by the Government and authorised emergency agencies.
PS Muthoni said the Ministry would continue monitoring meteorological and epidemiological information, updating risk assessments and supporting counties and partners as the situation evolves.
