The Ministry of Health in Kenya has released a public advisory urging households, food vendors, and community health workers to take precautionary steps ahead of anticipated El Niño-enhanced rains. The advisory, signed by Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki, was released on September 28, 2026, following an alert by the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority forecasting intensified rainfall in the coming weeks through to early 2027.
The Ministry identified four key hazards associated with heavy rains and high humidity: water contamination caused by sewage mixing into wells and boreholes, increased food spoilage from mould and aflatoxin on maize, peanuts, and animal feeds, cold chain disruption due to power outages affecting meat, milk, and leftovers, and flooding that exposes market produce to dirty water, mud, and flies. These conditions create an environment conducive to food-borne illnesses, including cholera, typhoid, and aflatoxin poisoning.
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki urged all households, food vendors, and estates to prepare before the rains begin, emphasizing that prevention is better than cure. The advisory laid out targeted guidance for different groups, including households, food businesses, and community health workers. Households were encouraged to stock chlorine tablets, clean and cover water storage tanks, and set aside dedicated containers for drinking water.
Families were advised to ensure that dry foods such as maize flour, grains, groundnuts, and beans are stored off the floor in airtight containers. Those with old cereal stock from the previous season were urged to sun-dry it before the rains begin. Food businesses and mama mboga operators were called upon to raise food off the ground and cover it at all times, with proper drainage planned around market stalls.
The Ministry also emphasized the importance of handwashing, particularly for households with children under five and elderly members. Community health promoters and Nyumba Kumi officials were urged to coordinate drainage clean-ups, unclog trenches in their areas, and conduct community sensitization on boiling water before the onset of rains. The advisory noted that county-level food safety inspections will increase during the rainy season.
An initial government assessment estimated that about 1.5 million people across all 47 counties could be affected by the El Niño floods. In Nairobi alone, authorities have identified 246 potentially vulnerable locations as they monitor key rivers. The government has a KSh 2.1 billion plan to protect livestock in 24 counties, including vaccines, veterinary supplies, and emergency clinics.
The Ministry of Health's advisory serves as a reminder that food safety is everyone's business. With the expected El Niño rains, Kenyans are urged to take proactive steps to ensure their food is safe and to prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses. By following the Ministry's guidelines, households, vendors, and health workers can reduce the risks associated with the impending floods.
Key points
- The Ministry of Health has identified cholera, typhoid, and aflatoxin poisoning as key threats linked to flooding, water contamination, and food spoilage.
- Households are advised to stock chlorine tablets, clean and cover water storage tanks, and set aside dedicated containers for drinking water.
- The government has a KSh 2.1 billion plan to protect livestock in 24 counties, including vaccines, veterinary supplies, and emergency clinics.
