Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and the county disaster management committee on Friday /HILTON OTENYOThe Kakamega county government has unveiled a three-tier
plan to guide preparedness, response and mitigation of the effects of the El Nino rains expected to begin next month.
Governor Fernandes Barasa chaired the county Disaster Management Committee meeting at the county headquarters, where he announced the activation of emergency operations, health emergency and disaster and contingency plans.
Barasa also announced the formation of a joint coordination committee bringing together the national and county governments to oversee preparations.
The committee will be chaired by county secretary Lawrence Omuhaka and county commissioner James Taari Rwaria. It will include
representatives from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), National
Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ministry of Education, Department of
Meteorology and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, private hospitals, faith-based organisations, Kenya Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance Kenya and ICARE School of First Aid will also participate.
“The high level preparations were informed by the region’s past experience with heavy El Nino rains and the damage they caused. We are cautioning our people to remain on high alert and be ready to respond to emergencies,” Barasa said.
County secretary Omuhaka said special attention would be given to areas prone to flooding and other rainfall-related disasters in Matungu, Mumias East, Mumias West, Navakholo, Lugari, Khwisero and Likuyani sub-counties.
The team will also monitor areas prone to mine collapses in Ikolomani, Shinyalu and Lurambi, as well as locations at risk of mudslides in Malava and Shinyalu.
“In Khwisero and Ikolomani, the committee will watch out for possible livestock disease outbreaks, while Lugari, Mumias West and Lurambi will be monitored for possible road traffic accidents during the rainy season,” Omuhaka said.
The Department of Health will activate an El Nino health preparedness and surveillance programme in line with Ministry of Health directives.
The programme will include sensitisation of Community Health Promoters on their role in sharing public health information with residents.
The county will also focus on protecting livelihoods, with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock expected to issue weather-based advice to farmers and prepare for possible crop and livestock disease outbreaks.
County commissioner Rwaria said the joint secretariat would prepare a weekly El Nino preparedness and response report for the County Secretary and County Commissioner.
“County administrators and deputy county commissioners have been directed to identify and report areas that are likely to be affected by disasters in Kakamega county,” Rwaria said.
The reports will be consolidated and presented to the county leadership to guide monitoring and further action.
The plan brings together disaster response agencies, health providers, security and infrastructure agencies, humanitarian organisations and technical experts, with the county seeking to ensure that risks identified before the rains translate into early action.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The emphasis on weekly reporting and the identification of vulnerable areas is expected to provide county leaders with regular updates on emerging risks as the rainy season progresses. Kakamega’s plan shows the value of turning weather warnings into concrete preparedness measures before disasters occur. The focus on mapping flood, landslide and mine-collapse hotspots, alongside health surveillance and agricultural advice, gives authorities specific areas for early intervention. However, the effectiveness of the strategy will depend on how quickly information from weekly reports translates into action, particularly in vulnerable communities, and whether agencies maintain coordination throughout the rainy season.
