By Faith Anene, Kakamega
Kakamega County has activated its emergency, health and disaster contingency plans as it prepares for enhanced El Niño rains expected from October, with authorities identifying flood-prone areas and mine-collapse hotspots for close monitoring.
Governor Fernandes Barasa said the county was working closely with the national government to protect residents from the effects of heavy rains.
Speaking at the county headquarters yesterday after chairing a high-level disaster management meeting with County Commissioner James Tari Waria, Barasa said preparedness measures had been put in place across the county.
“We want to assure the people of Kakamega that the county government, working together with the national government, is well prepared to deal with any disasters that may arise from the rains,” Barasa said.
He said the county had established rapid-response committees to coordinate interventions in the event of floods, landslides, mine collapses and other emergencies.
Barasa urged residents involved in mining, sand harvesting and construction to exercise caution and suspend activities in areas considered dangerous during the rainy season.
“We are appealing to those who are mining, those who are harvesting sand and those involved in construction to suspend their activities, especially in areas that are likely to become dangerous during the rains,” he said.
The governor also called on farmers to use weather information to guide planting and prepare for the possibility of prolonged rainfall.
He said the county was drawing lessons from the 2023 El Niño rains, which caused disruptions in several parts of the country.
“We have learnt from the experience we had in 2023. We want to make sure that we are sufficiently prepared so that we can minimise the effects of the rains,” Barasa said.
“We have been informed that the probability of the El Niño rains occurring is more than 90 per cent. This means there is a high likelihood of receiving enhanced rainfall, and that is why we are putting measures in place early,” Waria said.
Waria said the national government was ready to work with the county administration and other stakeholders to respond to emergencies.
He said the meeting had brought together government departments and partners to coordinate preparedness and response measures.
“We have been informed that the probability of the El Niño rains occurring is more than 90 per cent. This means there is a high likelihood of receiving enhanced rainfall, and that is why we are putting measures in place early,” Waria said.
He said preparedness would be an ongoing process throughout the rainy season.
“Preparedness is not something that happens in one day. It requires continuous monitoring and response at both the county and national government levels,” Waria said.
The county and national governments have constituted a joint El Niño coordination committee, co-chaired by the county secretary and county commissioner.
The committee brings together county departments, the Kenya Meteorological Department, National Environment Management Authority, Ministry of Education, Kenya Power, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology disaster management experts and humanitarian organisations.
Other partners include the Kenya Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance, faith-based organisations and private hospitals.
Sub-county administrators and deputy county commissioners have been directed to identify and report disaster-prone locations.
Authorities will pay particular attention to flood-prone areas in Matungu, Nyanza East, Nyanza West, Navakholo, Lugari and Misero, while mine-collapse risks will be monitored in parts of Ikolomani and Shinyalu.
The county will also monitor possible livestock disease outbreaks and road accidents during the rainy season.
Departments responsible for roads, energy and public works, water, environment and climate change have been directed to clear critical drainage systems and waterways before the rains intensify.
The Health department will activate an El Niño health preparedness and surveillance programme, with Community Health Promoters expected to help disseminate public health advisories.
The Agriculture and Livestock department will issue weather-based advisories and prepare for possible crop and livestock emergencies.
Barasa said the preparedness measures were aimed at protecting lives and livelihoods while ensuring emergency response teams could act quickly when required.
“We have brought together different sectors, including health workers, teachers, religious leaders, mining representatives and other stakeholders because we want all our communities to be safe,” he said.
Waria urged residents to heed government advisories and take precautionary measures rather than wait for emergencies to occur.
He said the joint committee would continue monitoring the situation and provide regular updates.
A weekly El Niño preparedness and response dashboard will be submitted to the county secretary and county commissioner, with consolidated reports forwarded to the governor for further action.
The county also plans to conduct joint simulation exercises with relevant agencies before the peak rainfall period.
Barasa urged residents to clear drainage channels around their homes and farms and take advantage of the rains to harvest water.
“Preparedness is a continuous process. We must all play our part to ensure that our people remain safe,” he said.
