The Ministry of Health in Kenya has issued a food safety advisory warning of a potential increase in food-borne illnesses as the country prepares for El Niño-enhanced rains. The ministry cited experience from previous El Niño seasons, which showed that heavy rains, flooding, and high humidity could lead to a sharp rise in illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and aflatoxin poisoning.
The ministry warned that flood water is likely to mix with sewage, contaminating shallow wells, boreholes, and piped water, particularly in low-lying areas. This could lead to a significant increase in water-borne diseases. Households have been advised to stock Water Guard and chlorine tablets, while cleaning and covering water storage tanks and jerry cans.
The ministry also expects high humidity to accelerate mould growth on maize, peanuts, and animal feeds, increasing the risk of aflatoxin contamination. Kenyans have been advised to ensure maize flour, maize grains, groundnuts, and beans are completely dry and stored off the floor on pallets or shelves in airtight containers.
Those with old cereal stocks from the previous season have been urged to sun-dry them before the rains begin. The ministry also warned that power outages could disrupt cold-chain storage, potentially causing milk, meat, and leftovers kept in fridges and freezers to spoil.
Major markets could also flood, exposing food to "dirty water, mud, and flies". Food businesses and informal traders have been advised to raise food off the ground, keep it covered, and improve drainage around their stalls. The ministry said county inspections would increase and urged food handlers to have their medical certificates ready.
Families with children under five and elderly people have also been urged to reinforce hygiene, including teaching children to wash their hands with soap before eating. Community Health Promoters and Nyumba Kumi groups have been asked to organise drainage clean-ups, unclog trenches, and sensitise communities on boiling water before the rains.
The advisory comes as Kenya braces for the October-December rainy season, with regional forecasts pointing to wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the Greater Horn of Africa. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Greater Horn of Africa is expected to be wetter than usual in the final quarter of 2026 as El Niño strengthens.
Key points
- The Ministry of Health has warned of an increase in food-borne illnesses as Kenya prepares for El Niño-enhanced rains.
- The ministry has advised households to stock Water Guard and chlorine tablets and clean and cover water storage tanks and jerry cans.
- Kenya is expected to experience wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the Greater Horn of Africa in the final quarter of 2026 as El Niño strengthens.
