Civil society organisations in Kenya are calling on the national and county governments to take immediate action to prepare for the expected El Nino rains. The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast above-average rainfall across most parts of the country between October and December. The organisations, under the Right to Food Coalition, want authorities to move swiftly from preparedness plans to concrete action to mitigate the impact of the rains.
The coalition, comprising 125 organisations, has raised concerns over the gap between budget allocations and actual preparedness on the ground. The National Treasury has reported Sh7.1 billion in locally led climate-resilience grants to 43 counties, within Sh11.7 billion allocated for county-level climate resilience in the 2025/26 financial year. However, the groups want to see tangible results on the ground, including completed drainage and flood-control works, emergency supplies pre-positioned, and measures taken to protect communities in flood- and landslide-prone areas.
The organisations are pushing for clear weather and risk thresholds that would automatically trigger early action before flooding occurs. Such measures would include issuing accessible warnings, preparing communities for evacuation, identifying safe routes and shelters, and pre-positioning food and other emergency supplies. They also want women's organisations, persons with disabilities, small-scale producers, and residents of informal settlements to be involved in assessing preparedness measures.
In Nairobi, 227 flood hotspots have reportedly been identified, with Sh2.4 billion committed to flood resilience, including Sh2 billion for drainage works along 19 roads. The groups want Nairobi County to publicly account for the status of the projects, including completed works, outstanding works, and expected completion dates. They are also urging the government to treat the expected rains as both a disaster-risk and food-security challenge.
Authorities have been asked to protect crops, livestock, food markets, and household incomes while ensuring vulnerable households can access social-protection support. Health authorities have also been urged to strengthen disease surveillance, stock essential medicines and water-treatment supplies, and prepare health facilities in flood-prone areas. Particular attention should be given to children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, persons with disabilities, older people, pastoralists, small-scale farmers, and residents of remote and informal settlements.
The organisations say Kenya already has many of the resources and institutions needed for preparedness. Its main demand is that existing funds, forecasts, and responsibilities be coordinated and translated into visible protection on the ground. The groups are calling for stronger cooperation between national and county governments, civil society, communities, and humanitarian actors, alongside transparent reporting and regular public feedback.
The coalition cited the devastating impact of floods in 2024, which killed 315 people, displaced about 410,000, and caused an estimated Sh187 billion in damage. In 2026, more than 60 people were reportedly killed in floods in March, followed by 18 deaths in landslides in Tharaka-Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Kiambu counties. The organisations emphasised that Kenya has been here before, and the cost of delay is well documented.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has allocated Sh11.7 billion for county-level climate resilience in the 2025/26 financial year.
- 125 organisations have signed a statement calling for urgent action to prepare for the El Nino rains.
- The expected El Nino rains are forecast to bring above-average rainfall across most parts of Kenya between October and December.
