The West Pokot government has stepped up preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains with Governor Simon Kachapin directing relevant teams to strengthen risk assessment, coordination and response planning.
“We have activated all the relevant departments and disaster management structures so that we are ready ahead of the heavy rains expected in many parts of the country,” Kachapin said.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast above-normal rainfall from the second week of October to January 2027.
Counties expected to receive above-average rainfall include Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Machakos, Nakuru, Narok, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kisumu, Garissa, Wajir and Mombasa.
The government has warned of possible floods, landslides, destruction of roads, displacement and cholera outbreaks. The National Disaster Operations Centre and the Interior Ministry are already mapping evacuation centres.
In West Pokot, a preparedness meeting held at the county headquarters brought together county secretary Jonathan Siwanyang, Public Service and ICT executive Esther Chelimo, special programmes and disaster management chief officer Daniel Lopale, county meteorologist Wilson Lonyang’ole, officers from the agriculture, water and gender departments, and representatives from the National Drought Management Authority and Kenya Red Cross Society.
Siwanyang said the meeting focused on validating the risk assessment tool, planning field-based risk assessments and initiating participatory scenario planning to identify potential risks and guide timely interventions.
Participants also discussed strengthening early-warning systems, improving access to reliable climate information, raising community awareness and enhancing coordination among response actors, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
Siwanyang said the meeting was part of the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance preparedness and ensure timely and coordinated action in the event of El Niño-related hazards.
“We will also move to the subcounties to ensure that all our relevant staff are well prepared. We will also sensitise our communities on what to expect and how to act,” he said.
He said the county will work with other stakeholders in the region to ensure a well-coordinated response to the expected weather conditions.
