- Machakos County has intensified disaster preparedness through multi-agency training ahead of anticipated El Niño rains.
- Governor Wavinya Ndeti says early planning will strengthen coordinated response to flooding and related emergencies.
- Residents in flood-prone areas have been urged to heed advisories and move to safer ground.
Machakos County has stepped up training in preparation for the forecast El Niño rains.
Speaking while opening the Kenya Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment (KIRA) Training at the Machakos County Disaster Operations Centre, Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the county and its partners had already started preparations to ensure a timely and coordinated response when the rains set in. The county had also activated a multi-agency technical team earlier in September to clear riparian reserves and unclog drainage in flood-prone areas.
“As Machakos County and our partners, we started planning, and we are here for this training to ensure that we are ready to do the job. We are prepared. Last time we experienced floods, we responded very well in partnership with Red Cross,” said Wavinya.
Residents urged to heed weather advisories
The Governor urged residents living near riverbanks, in low-lying areas and along known flood corridors to take official weather advisories seriously, avoid crossing flooded rivers and keep children away from swollen waterways.
She said the county has shared emergency contacts for use during emergencies and will continue publicising them through local and national media channels.
Kenya Red Cross Society Eastern Region Coordinator George Ndolo said the organisation has mobilised equipment to high-risk areas and strengthened its response teams ahead of the rains.
He urged residents in flood-prone areas to move to safer, higher ground, reinforce their structures where possible and keep important documents safe.
“We have already started mobilising our equipment to high-rainfall-prone areas and increased our response teams. I also urge those living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground, strengthen their buildings and keep their documents safe,” said Ndolo.
Machakos County Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department Robert Kyalo said significant rainfall is expected from the third or fourth week of October and could continue into January 2027.
He said areas including Mavoko, Athi River and Kalama could receive substantial rainfall and advised farmers to follow weather advisories when making planting decisions and to regularly check the department’s weekly and monthly forecasts.
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The training comes as the country steps up preparedness measures to minimise the impact of potential flooding and other weather-related emergencies during the anticipated El Niño season. The national government has also been pre-positioning food and medical supplies in readiness for heavy rains.
By Stephen Muthini
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