Deputy President Kindiki Urges Counties to Boost El Niño Preparedness

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasized the need for urgent coordination between national and county governments to prepare for the expected El Niño rains. Speaking at the 30th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen, Nairobi, on August 24, 2026, Kindiki urged county disaster preparedness steering committees to become fully operational without delay.

He highlighted the importance of prepositioning food and non-food relief supplies in vulnerable areas to enable a swift response when the rains begin. "All food and non-food relief supplies need to be prepositioned in the regions and other counties ahead of time," Kindiki said.

The Deputy President also acknowledged the support from the National Treasury in facilitating adequate preparations to mitigate flooding and related emergencies.

Key Measures to Mitigate Impact

• Regular national-level meetings are being held to monitor preparedness and avoid being caught off guard.
• Drainage systems in Nairobi are being cleared, with plans to extend this to other counties identified as high risk.
• A forthcoming meeting will bring together representatives from approximately 18 counties most vulnerable to adverse effects of the rains, including Mombasa.
• Coordination among government agencies is being prioritized to ensure effective disaster management.

Kindiki stressed the importance of collective effort, stating, "I hope that we will all be all hands-on deck on that matter." The government aims to minimize the impact of flooding and protect affected communities through these proactive interventions.