The government has assured Kenyans that it is prepared to mitigate the effects of the expected El Niño rains.
Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the government had put in place measures to respond to emergencies that may arise during the rainy season.
“I want to assure Kenyans that the government has plans to handle the rains,” Ruku said.
He called on county governments to take early measures to prevent flooding, particularly in urban areas where blocked drainage systems could worsen the impact of heavy rains.
“We are calling upon all county governments, especially in urban areas, to ensure drainage is cleared early,” he said.
Ruku warned against dumping garbage in drainage channels, saying blocked drains could contribute to flooding when heavy rains begin.
“Garbage should not be in the drains,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary singled out Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru among the urban centres that should take early action to minimise the effects of the rains.
Ruku said the government had held consultations and developed measures aimed at mitigating the effects of the expected weather conditions.
“As a government, we have sat down, and we have come up with measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño. We are ready as government,” he said.
The assurance comes amid growing concern over the potential impact of above-normal rainfall, particularly in areas that have previously experienced flooding and other disasters during heavy rains.
Speaking separately, Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris urged communities, national government agencies and county governments to take precautionary measures before the rains intensify.
Idris said the anticipated heavy rainfall could trigger flooding, displacement, landslides, building collapses and disease outbreaks in different parts of the country.
He said preparations should focus on preventing loss of life while ensuring that families displaced by flooding or other disasters receive essential assistance.
“No lives should be lost,” Idris said.
Speaking to Citizen TV, the Kenya Red Cross chief called for coordinated action among all stakeholders to ensure communities at risk receive early warnings and assistance.
He said the Kenya Red Cross was working with national and county governments, as well as other partners, to prepare for potential emergencies and strengthen response mechanisms.
Idris said communities should not wait until disasters occur before taking action, urging residents to heed early warnings and move to safer areas when advised to do so.
The expected rains are also likely to increase water levels in rivers, lakes and other water bodies, while saturating the ground in areas receiving heavy rainfall.
This could increase the risk of rivers bursting their banks, particularly threatening communities living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas.
