Residents of Mombasa's informal settlements are intensifying preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains, with community-based organisations leading early warning campaigns to minimise the risk of flooding and loss of lives. The preparations come amid concerns over the potential impact of a very strong El Niño, expected to coincide with a strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole, increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall and flooding along the Kenyan coast.
The DARAJA project, implemented in six informal settlements in Mombasa, seeks to bridge the gap between receiving weather forecasts and taking practical action to protect lives and property. The initiative, led by Dream Achievers Youth Organisation (DAYO), works closely with the Kenya Meteorological Department to ensure weather information reaches residents in accessible language.
Lindah Indimuli, Project Coordinator at DAYO, said the organisation uses community meetings, door-to-door campaigns, and neighbourhood clean-ups to help residents respond to weather alerts. The organisation also works with chiefs and village elders to identify vulnerable areas and develop practical measures to reduce risks.
DARAJA Kenya Project Manager Pascal Mukanga said the programme brings together meteorological agencies, local authorities, and community organisations to ensure forecasts translate into timely action. The project aims to improve understanding of climate change and help communities access weather information so that they can take appropriate action based on forecasts.
For residents, the interventions are already making a difference. Ramadhan Kadenge, a resident of Ziwa La Ng'ombe, said previous floods had left families anxious whenever heavy rainfall was predicted. However, early warnings had enabled residents to unclog drainage channels and prepare for possible relocation.
Rose Matunda, from Mkomani, said advance information had also helped residents overcome some of the anxiety associated with heavy rains. The 2026 Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that although four in five adults who experienced a disaster in the previous five years received at least one advance warning, 36 per cent of those warned were unable to take protective action.
The DARAJA project, implemented by Resurgence since 2018, seeks to ensure early warnings are not only received but understood and acted upon by vulnerable communities. The project's impact is crucial in informal settlements, where poor drainage, overcrowding, and homes built on vulnerable slopes expose families to weather-related disasters.
Key points
- Residents of Mombasa's informal settlements are better prepared for El Niño rains thanks to improved access to weather forecasts and safety information through the DARAJA project.
- The DARAJA project brings together meteorological agencies, local authorities, and community organisations to ensure forecasts translate into timely action.
- The project's impact is crucial in informal settlements, where poor drainage, overcrowding, and homes built on vulnerable slopes expose families to weather-related disasters.
