The government is leaving nothing to chance in terms of preparedness as the country braces itself for the El Niño rains due in two weeks’ time.
Nyeri County Commissioner Josephat Biwott told KNA necessary measures have been put in place to ensure there is minimal destruction of critical infrastructure and disruption of human activities.
Biwott said the two levels of government are working hand in hand in addressing any subsequent emergencies that may result from the rains and has come up with clear strategies on how to mitigate each challenge.
Some of the measures include setting aside both financial and physical resources to be used in the event families and infrastructure get damaged during the rainy season.
Nyeri is among the counties expected to receive above-normal rainfall from the second and third weeks of October.
The El Niño rains are expected to last up to February next year, according to the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) climate forecast for October-November-December short rains.
“We have identified areas which are at high risk, and we have organized with sub-counties on how we are going to deal with them, especially areas which are prone to landslides. We have given directions on how to make sure that those people are moved to a safer place. We have done drainage and even given our emergency number, -1549, for communication,” said Biwott.
The administrator said a multiagency team comprising emergency responders has been formed to help in the event of a disaster.
The team has also come up with a common channel that will ease information flow and make it possible to respond to emergencies within the shortest time possible.
“We have identified resources in terms of materials, especially vehicles and ambulances, and our team at the county level is ready to report if there is any emergency.” Stated the administrator.
“Concerning the preparation for (national) exams our team is ready with logistics being carried out in preparation next month and everybody is trained and we are waiting to be given a date to go to Nairobi for the keys.” he added.
While chairing the Nyeri County multi-agency El Nino preparedness meeting last week Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga said his administration had allocated some Sh76 million to combat the expected rains.
Dr Kahiga further said the county intends to utilize the Sh20 million which has remained unspent since 2015.
He also announced that the county would re-adjust its monetary priorities in the 2025/2026 supplementary budget to ensure that it focuses on addressing the El Niño rains.
“To start with we have a budget of about Sh76 million. We also have Sh20 million that has been lying in the County Emergency Fund waiting for any disaster like this. We will also see if we can pool more resources from the National government and other partners,” said Dr Kahiga.
The County Department of Health services has been allocated Sh37 million which will go towards disease surveillance and purchase of medical supplies in preparation for possible waterborne disease outbreaks among other expenditures.
Dr Kahiga also intends to spend Sh10 million to repair infrastructure that might get damaged during the heavy downpour.
Speaking during the meeting, the head of the Central Region at the Kenya Red Cross society, Esther Chege, said the agency had already identified 833 flood risk hotspots in the country.
In addition, Chege said the agency estimates that about 565,000 people will be displaced by the El Niño rains.
She revealed that the Red Cross is also working with other stakeholders to prepare 574 temporary rescue facilities across the country.
“What we are doing is enhancing community preparedness because we believe that those are the people who respond first. Experience has also taught us that response is very expensive compared to having early preparedness strategies in place,” she noted.
According to the KMSA, a total of 18 counties have been put on red alert of being at risk of flooding and mudslides from the heavy downpour.
Nyeri is among the counties expected to start receiving the rains during the second and third weeks of October.
Others include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Baringo, West Pokot, and Narok, among others.
By Samuel Maina
