Deputy President Kithure Kindiki holds a meeting to prepare for the El Nino rains on September 22 / DCPSDeputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyans to follow safety instructions issued by authorities as the country prepares for forecast El Nino rains expected between October and December.
Kindiki said the government had put measures in place to minimise the risk of loss of life and destruction of property, urging the public to take warnings seriously.
He said compliance would be particularly important in areas at risk of flooding, landslides and mudslides.
“A situation like this is a matter of national security. The public is asked to comply with all instructions issued by security and disaster management agencies and other actors,” Kindiki said.
“Where evacuation orders are issued, they must be complied with. For instance, instructions restricting movement in flooded areas and rivers must be observed to avoid loss of life as has happened in the past,” he said.
Kindiki spoke on Tuesday during a meeting with senior government officials and heads of departments and agencies involved in preparations for the El Nino rains at his Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi.
The meeting focused on measures being put in place to prepare for and respond to the expected weather conditions.
Kindiki said security agencies and administrators, including village elders, had been directed to enforce safety instructions issued by relevant agencies.
“We have instructed security agencies and administrators including village elders to strictly enforce all instructions issued by security and disaster agencies to save life and prevent destruction of property,” he said.
The deputy president said the national administration was working with county governments, development partners and humanitarian agencies to strengthen preparedness and response in areas considered vulnerable to disasters.
“On behalf of the government, we would like to advise the people of Kenya not to worry or panic because we have engaged all hands on deck across the national and county governments,” Kindiki said.
“We are also engaging development partners and humanitarian agencies to make sure we have a seamless disaster response and management,” he said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki holds a meeting to prepare for the El Nino rains on September 22, 2026/ DCPSKindiki said urban areas had been given particular attention because of the risk of flash floods and other effects associated with heavy rainfall.
He singled out Nairobi, saying the capital's urban environment required additional measures to minimise the impact of flooding.
“We have taken cognisance of the unique situation in Nairobi whose urban dynamics demand greater attention to minimize adverse impacts,” he said.
He also identified Mombasa and Busia counties as among the areas likely to experience significant effects from the weather conditions.
The Deputy President said areas in arid and semi-arid lands were also expected to face significant impacts and would receive attention as part of the preparedness measures.
Authorities have also mapped areas considered vulnerable to landslides and mudslides, Kindiki said, adding that the locations would receive the necessary attention.
