El Niño: 1.5m Kenyans at risk as State prioritises four high-risk counties

By  Joseph Openda

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia and Mandera are among the counties at higher risk of being affected by El Niño rains, according to the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC).

Of the 18 counties facing potential disasters arising from the projected above-average rainfall, the government has identified the four as among those likely to be worst affected.

At the same time, 1.5 million people are likely to be affected by the rains, while the government projects that 500,000 people could be displaced from their homes.

Col David Samoei, the director of NDOC, said the government had prioritised the four counties and was undertaking mitigation measures to avert possible disasters.

According to Col Samoei, the government has made extensive preparations since the Kenya Meteorological Department issued an advisory warning of the possibility of above-normal rainfall during the October-November-December period.

“NDOC has zeroed in on Nairobi and has done simulation exercises. Kisumu County is also likely to be mostly affected because of Nyando, and we are currently doing some work on the banks of River Nyando,” said Col Samoei.

He added: “Busia is likely to be affected because of the Nzoia River and Budalangi area, where we are currently on the ground together with the Water Resources Authority. In Mandera, a challenge is likely to occur if the road between Mandera and Wajir is drowned by floods.”

Col Samoei said the government had made adequate preparations, including sensitising the public about the possible effects of El Niño and the safety measures to take.

According to him, NDOC had coordinated the establishment of rescue centres and safe houses by county governments to be used in the event of a disaster.

“We can confirm that the Met department has been very accurate in its predictions of late, so we took its advisory seriously and embarked on preparations. We have done enough simulation exercises in the areas of Nairobi, Garissa and Naivasha.

“Our objective is to have zero loss of lives during the period by undertaking good preparations immediately after receiving the information from the department,” he said.

Col Samoei was speaking during a three-day symposium in Nakuru that brought together experts and stakeholders to exchange ideas on disaster preparedness.

Those attending the forum included private organisations, government institutions and agencies, as well as academics, who were expected to share insights on disaster preparedness.

At the conclusion of the forum, the team will mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on October 13.

Col Samoei assured the public of their safety and advised residents to follow guidelines issued by the steering committee from time to time.

“The government has set aside adequate resources to take care of the disaster, in addition to hoping for support from partners and the private sector in case there’s a problem.”

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, who attended the symposium, said the county had been working to sensitise residents on the need to take measures to prevent disasters, starting at the family level.

“The county government has taken a multisectoral approach in creating awareness of El Niño and disaster mitigation measures. We are also conducting surveillance of the hotspots as well as setting up isolation centres,” said Mr Kones.

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