The government has rolled out seven key measures aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness for the expected October–December (OND) El Niño rains, urging Kenyans to remain on high alert as forecasts point to above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country.
According to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the heavy downpours could trigger severe flooding, drowning, injuries, and fatalities. The ministry further warned of community displacement, disease outbreaks, and major disruptions to essential services, alongside widespread damage to roads, critical infrastructure, reduced crop yields, and lost livelihoods.
Some counties, particularly across the Western, Nyanza, and North Eastern regions, are expected to experience an early start to the rainy season. To lessen these threats, state agencies are activating a multi-sectoral strategy.
“To mitigate the risks, the government is implementing a National Contingency Plan developed jointly with national and county government agencies, humanitarian partners, security agencies and other disaster management stakeholders,” the ministry said.
Here is the government’s seven-point action plan to tackle the coming El Niño deluge:
1. Mapping Flood and Disaster Hotspots
The first initiative focuses on comprehensive mapping of flood-prone zones to guide emergency responses, evacuation routes, and early interventions. Priority zones include low-lying riverine areas, coastal regions, landslide-prone highlands, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), Northern Kenya, and vulnerable urban centers.
Transport networks at high risk of structural damage have been identified across North Eastern, Tana River, Coast, Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Turkana, Nairobi, Central, and Eastern regions.
2. Unclogging Urban Drainage and Waste Systems
To curb flash flooding in major towns and cities, road authorities, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), are actively clearing, desilting, and unclogging drainage networks, culverts, and choke points.
Concurrently, the government is stepping up urban waste management through initiatives like Climate WorX to prevent garbage from choking waterways.
3. Evacuation Readiness and Water-Level Tracking
The government is conducting public awareness campaigns targeting households living on riparian land and high-risk zones while setting up temporary holding centers for displaced residents. Real-time monitoring of water levels in key dams, major rivers, and riverbank communities is underway to ensure swift action if water levels breach safety marks.
4. Rigorous Infrastructure Inspections
Engineers and field teams from relevant agencies are inspecting roads, bridges, and critical utilities in flood-prone zones. The goal is to spot structural weaknesses early and execute preventive reinforcements before the worst of the rains hit.
5. Grassroots Early Warning Networks
To reach every household, the state is leveraging local administration networks, including Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Nyumba Kumi structures, to broadcast timely weather updates. Sensitization drives are also being scaled up to educate the public on safety protocols before, during, and after heavy downpours.
6. Pre-positioning Emergency Relief Supplies
Food items, non-food essentials, and emergency medical kits are being stockpiled at strategic regional hubs to facilitate rapid response. Operational coordination has been tightened among National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), county teams, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), security units, and health personnel.
7. Standby Search and Rescue Teams
Multimodal rapid-response teams remain on high alert to handle search and rescue missions, medical evacuations, and post-disaster assessments. The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), alongside county disaster management teams, will coordinate all field operations throughout the season.
“First responders from various agencies are ready to respond whenever called upon,” the ministry said.
High Alert: Risk Remains Real
Despite the extensive preparations, officials warn that local communities must not drop their guard.
“Preparedness should not be mistaken for an absence of risk,” the ministry warned, noting that heavy rainfall could quickly overwhelm drainage systems, rivers, and critical infrastructure in already vulnerable areas.
Authorities are calling on residents in low-lying zones, riparian reserves, and landslide-prone slopes to strictly heed all official evacuation directives. Citizens are also encouraged to report emerging hazards, such as blocked drains, rising waters, or failing infrastructure, to local authorities immediately.
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