Kenya is stepping up preparations for the expected El Niño rains, with the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) working with counties, security agencies, the Kenya Red Cross and telecommunications companies to strengthen emergency response and communication.
NDOC Director Col (Rtd) David Samoei said authorities were conducting exercises to improve coordination between disaster response teams and traffic police, particularly in Nairobi, where flooding and heavy rains could disrupt movement.
A command post exercise is planned in Nairobi alongside a field training exercise at Uhuru Park, with the aim of improving communication and coordination during emergencies.
Samoei said lessons from previous disasters had shown the importance of ensuring that agencies involved in emergency response can communicate effectively.
“Resources are there, and we want to improve our communication,” he said.
Authorities are also working with Safaricom to establish a geo-referenced messaging system that could allow alerts to be sent directly to people in affected locations.
Samoei said the system was expected to become operational during the week, while a separate arrangement would allow emergency information to be distributed to media houses immediately.
The system is expected to help motorists and families receive timely information on road closures, alternative routes and other emergencies, including situations where people could be trapped in traffic.
“We will be sending to all media houses immediately, so that it can be spread,” Samoei said.
The preparations come as authorities identify areas likely to experience severe impacts from the rains. Samoei said Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia and Mandera were among the counties expected to be affected significantly.
He said Nairobi had been divided into six boroughs, with locations identified where people could be hosted in the event of displacement. The county is also expected to conduct an exercise on the management of the proposed internally displaced persons (IDP) camps with the Kenya Red Cross.
The preparations are particularly important for businesses and transport operators, as flooding and heavy rainfall can disrupt roads, supply chains and movement of people.
Samoei said authorities were also working with Kisumu County and the National Youth Service on interventions along the Nyando River to ensure potential evacuation sites are secure before they are designated as shelters.
Meanwhile, the government is still in the process of establishing the National Disaster Management Authority under the Disaster Risk Management framework.
Samoei said the authority had not yet been established and that the NDOC was currently operating as a directorate. He said the Disaster Risk Management Act came into force on May 29, after which human resource instruments were submitted to the Public Service Commission.
The process will proceed to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the National Treasury before the authority is formally established and staff recruited.
Despite the institutional transition, Samoei said NDOC remains operational around the clock, with a duty officer and Rapid Assessment Team on standby.
He said authorities were better prepared than in previous years following extensive sensitisation and planning, but warned that the country could face serious challenges if the rains reach levels similar to those experienced in 1997.
“These rains will be so much, there will be a lot of water in this country,” he said.
Samoei urged businesses and households to take precautions, including avoiding unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, while also calling on Kenyans to keep drainage systems clear by avoiding dumping waste.
Read: How To Protect Your Car And Home Ahead Of El Niño Rains In Kenya
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