The Machakos County Government, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), has initiated measures to prepare for the impending El Nino rains, which are expected to begin in October. Governor Wavinya Ndeti and KRCS Regional Director Lower Eastern, George Ndolo, announced that they have put in place arrangements to respond to emergencies during the adverse weather conditions. These efforts aim to avert potential disasters and minimize the impact on residents.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti disclosed that her administration has allocated funds, equipment, and human resources for emergency response during the El Nino rains. County staff from strategic departments, including healthcare, public works, and emergency and disaster management, have been placed on high alert for special deployments. Additionally, engineering teams have been expanded to clear critical storm drainage networks in high-density urban areas to minimize flash flooding.
The governor also revealed that medical facilities have been aligned with emergency supplies, including essential pharmaceuticals and trauma response kits. All personnel assigned to disaster emergency protocols are fully activated and operating under a unified command at the disaster and emergency command centre. Residents have been provided with toll-free emergency call numbers: 0720808900, 0715068861, 0800600016, and 1199, to call in case of distress.
George Ndolo, KRCS Regional Director Lower Eastern, stated that the organization has trained officers and emergency responders who will be deployed to incident scenes as needed. KRCS is also positioning response items closer to disaster-prone areas to ensure rapid response. Residents are being advised to take anticipatory actions to minimize or eliminate casualties during the El Nino period.
The local meteorological office has warned residents to prepare for above-average rainfall beginning in mid-October. Machakos County Meteorological Director, Dominic Kyalo, revealed that the Kola area of Machakos sub-county is expected to receive the highest amount of rainfall, up to 600 millimeters. A heavy rainfall probability of 80 to 90 percent has been forecasted, and households in low-lying areas are advised to prepare to move to higher ground.
Residents living around Iveti Hills, Kaseve, Kiima Kimwe, and Katoloni within Machakos have been cautioned about the risk of landslides and advised to take necessary precautions. The county government and KRCS are working together to ensure effective emergency disaster response and minimize the impact of the El Nino rains.
The collaboration between the Machakos County Government and KRCS aims to enhance preparedness and response to the El Nino rains, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents. Key measures include emergency response planning, public awareness campaigns, and the positioning of response items closer to disaster-prone areas.
Key points
- The Machakos County Government and KRCS have allocated resources and trained emergency responders to mitigate the effects of the El Nino rains.
- Residents are advised to take anticipatory actions to minimize or eliminate casualties during the El Nino period.
- The local meteorological office has forecasted a heavy rainfall probability of 80 to 90 percent, with above-average rainfall expected to begin in mid-October.
