The government has activated a nationwide emergency response plan ahead of forecast El Niño rains expected to affect parts of Kenya in the coming days, with agencies placed on standby to respond to flooding and other rain-related hazards.
The response will be coordinated through the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) under the National Contingency Plan, with interventions expected to be scaled up depending on the severity and geographical spread of the impacts.
The Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross Society and National Youth Service will undertake round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations where required.
The government said designated evacuation and displacement centres have been established, with a standardised registration system to identify and track displaced people and facilitate the delivery of assistance.
Alternative transport routes will be activated where roads and other infrastructure are disrupted, while air support will be mobilised through NDOC when necessary.
Health services put on alert
Health authorities have also activated emergency mechanisms to prepare for possible outbreaks of communicable diseases associated with flooding.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and Incident Management System have been deployed to coordinate emergency health services, strengthen disease surveillance and support prevention and control of waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
The government said supplies of therapeutic and supplementary nutrition commodities have been secured, while water-quality surveillance will be intensified in affected areas.
Water-treatment products will also be distributed, while sanitation facilities in affected settlements will be assessed to reduce contamination and associated public health risks.
Relief stocks pre-positioned
To protect food security and livelihoods, the government has pre-positioned food stocks in 10 priority counties considered vulnerable to the effects of the rains.
The counties are Tana River, Garissa, Kisumu, Busia, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kilifi, Wajir, Mandera and Turkana.
Emergency shelter materials and other relief supplies have also been positioned for deployment to evacuation and displacement centres.
Protection monitoring mechanisms will be activated to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups affected by displacement or other emergencies.
Farmers will receive location-specific agricultural advisories as weather conditions evolve, while livestock disease surveillance will be intensified to mitigate possible outbreaks.
Schools to be assessed
The education sector has been directed to assess the condition and functionality of learning institutions in areas affected by the rains.
Authorities will also safeguard learning materials where schools may be required to serve as temporary displacement centres.
At the county level, Governors, working with County Commissioners, will coordinate preparedness, response and recovery through County Disaster Risk Management Committees and County Emergency Operations Centres.
Counties will serve as the lead implementers within their jurisdictions, with technical support from national government institutions.
At the sub-county level, disaster management teams and steering groups will coordinate early warning, preparedness and first-response efforts in collaboration with National Government Administration Officers, community disaster management committees, community health promoters and other local partners.
The government said humanitarian organisations have aligned their interventions with national priorities to minimise duplication and service gaps.
Refugee operations in Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei will continue to be coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in partnership with the Department of Refugee Services.
The government said it will continue monitoring the weather situation and progressively update emergency plans and response measures as the risks associated with the rains evolve.
If you like our work, you can buy us a soda
Buy us a soda 🥤
