The Kakamega county government has launched a three-tier plan to prepare for and respond to the expected El Nino rains. Governor Fernandes Barasa chaired a meeting of the county Disaster Management Committee, where emergency operations, health emergency, and disaster and contingency plans were activated. A joint coordination committee was also formed to oversee preparations, comprising representatives from national and county governments, disaster response agencies, and humanitarian organizations.
The joint coordination committee will be chaired by county secretary Lawrence Omuhaka and county commissioner James Taari Rwaria. Members include representatives from KeNHA, NEMA, Ministry of Education, Department of Meteorology, and KPLC. Other participants are Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, private hospitals, faith-based organizations, Kenya Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance Kenya, and ICARE School of First Aid. Their goal is to ensure high-level preparations informed by past El Nino experiences in the region.
Special attention will be given to areas prone to flooding and rainfall-related disasters in several sub-counties, including Matungu, Mumias East, Mumias West, Navakholo, Lugari, Khwisero, and Likuyani. The team will also monitor areas at risk of mine collapses and mudslides. In addition, possible livestock disease outbreaks will be watched for in Khwisero and Ikolomani, while road traffic accidents will be monitored in Lugari, Mumias West, and Lurambi.
The Department of Health will activate an El Nino health preparedness and surveillance program, including sensitization of Community Health Promoters. The county will focus on protecting livelihoods, with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock issuing weather-based advice to farmers and preparing for possible crop and livestock disease outbreaks. This multi-agency approach aims to ensure that identified risks translate into early action.
County commissioner Rwaria stated that the joint secretariat will prepare a weekly El Nino preparedness and response report for the County Secretary and County Commissioner. County administrators and deputy county commissioners have been directed to identify and report areas likely to be affected by disasters. These reports will guide monitoring and further action by the county leadership.
The plan brings together disaster response agencies, health providers, security and infrastructure agencies, humanitarian organizations, and technical experts. By mapping flood, landslide, and mine-collapse hotspots, alongside health surveillance and agricultural advice, authorities have specific areas for early intervention. The effectiveness of the strategy will depend on the swift translation of information into action, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The emphasis on weekly reporting and identification of vulnerable areas is expected to provide county leaders with regular updates on emerging risks. Kakamega's plan demonstrates the value of turning weather warnings into concrete preparedness measures before disasters occur. The county seeks to ensure that past experiences inform their preparations, minimizing potential damage from the upcoming El Nino rains.
Key points
- The Kakamega county government has launched a three-tier plan to prepare for and respond to the expected El Nino rains.
- A joint coordination committee has been formed to oversee preparations, comprising representatives from national and county governments, disaster response agencies, and humanitarian organizations.
- The plan focuses on mapping vulnerable areas, health surveillance, and agricultural advice to guide early intervention and minimize potential damage.
