The Kenya Red Cross Society has warned that parts of Kwale County could experience flooding during the October-December rains, with about 20,000 households being potentially at risk of displacement.
Kwale Red Cross Coordinator Mohammed Mwaenzi said areas likely to be affected include Lunga Lunga, Jego, Kiwegu, Vanga, Majoreni, Kanana, Msambweni along the Ramisi River, Kinondo, Diani, Ukunda, Lemba, and Darad.
Mwaenzi said several roads could also be severely affected, citing the Likoni-Lunga Lunga, Mgombezi-Mwangulu, Ndavaya-Kinango, and Samburu-Silaloni roads.
“These roads experienced significant disruption during the 2023 El Niño rains and the February-April 2026 floods,” said Mwaenzi.
He said the Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with the county and national governments, had developed a contingency plan to guide preparedness and response efforts before, during, and after the rains.
The plan identifies areas at risk, estimates the number of people likely to be affected, and highlights gaps that need to be addressed to enhance disaster response.
Mwaenzi said the County Disaster Committee had also begun sensitizing residents and various sectors on the OND weather outlook.
He said a command centre had been established to coordinate disaster response, while capacity-building programmes were being conducted to equip emergency responders with skills to handle flood-related emergencies.
The committee has also identified rescue centres where displaced families will be temporarily accommodated and storage centres for food and other relief supplies.
According to Mwaenzi, the storage centers will be located close to the rescue centre to facilitate timely access to assistance by affected families.
By Chari Suche and Mtumwa Makange
