Counties are racing against time to put up response measures to counter effects of the El Niño rains projected to start next month.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a warning about the likelihood of El Niño rainfall between October and December.

The weatherman predicts above-average rain in various parts of the country in October-November-December season.

Among the counties expected to receive the enhanced rains are Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi. Others are Kericho, Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Vihiga, Laikipia (Laikipia West), Nakuru and Narok.

During the enhanced rains, the Met predicted heightened rainfall, as well as the potential for flooding and landslides in certain regions.

Already, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has told Kenyans to be on high alert as the El Niño season draws close. Secretary general Ahmed Idris said the agency is embarking on early interventions to mitigate and avert the calamities.

“We are likely to receive above average rainfall, that is likely to receive floods, traditionally the most important thing is to start early interventions to mitigate the situation,” he said.

Mombasa  Governor Abdulswamad Nassir confirmed the county has started unlocking blocked sewer lines and drainage.

“We want to ensure all Mombasa residents are safe and those that will be affected will be evacuated to safer grounds,” he said.

Nassir and KRCS Mombasa chairman Mohamed Noor said more emphasis is being given to the low-lying areas and areas of informal settlements such as the slums.

“We have started unlocking all the drainage systems. There is a multi-agency team undertaking the preparations in the event that we will have floods,” the governor said.

In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja yesterday launched the El Niño marshal plan. He said his government is planning to clean and drain clogged drainages as the first step to curb flooding once the down-pour starts.

“The recruitment of 3,500 environmental officers to clean and unclog the drainages goes a long way to ensure our preparedness for the El Niño rains,” he said.

In addition, Sakaja said he has asked the directorate in the construction sector to map out unsafe buildings, where residents will be evacuated before the flooding begins. “We’ve bought 27 new work trucks, fire trucks, flushing units, ambulances, excavators and exhausters.”

Elsewhere, in Murang’a county, residents living in areas prone to landslides have been urged to be on the lookout following the warning by the weather man on El Niño rains.

Each rainy season leaves a trail of destruction in the county and in several occasions lives have been lost.

Local leaders are now lobbying for the establishment of the emergency funds to cater for the people who might be affected by the rains.

Cater for livelihoods

Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo said the funds will help cater for the livelihoods of the victims. He also said he will use part of the CDF emergency kitty to put gabions in the areas likely to be affected by landslides to help reduce the impact.

“Every rainy season we have cases of landslides reported in the area and we need to come up with measures to cushion them” said Mugo.

Murang’a woman Rep Betty Maina said there is need to be sensitisation to the public on the danger signs to look out for urging the national government administrators to hold public barazas on the same.

In Kajiado, Director of Meteorological Services, Jane Nyagathirii encouraged residents to plant more trees and unblock drainages to prevent flooding in the town as early preparations for El Niño rains.

“We should keep on planting trees in our homesteads and our surroundings. Residents should take advantage of this time that we are expecting El Nino rains and plant trees because the rains will help the trees grow,” she said.

Nyagathirii also urged farmers and pastoralists to seek advice from experts on what they should do before the onset of El Niño rains.

Livestock production

“If you are a farmer, seek advice from an agricultural officer; they will guide you on which types of crops to plant during the rainy season. If you do livestock production, seek advice from livestock officers the moment the meteorological department has released weather focus updates,” she advised.

In Homa Bay, officials have mapped out areas that are predominantly prone to flooding even as they seek to put in place mitigation measures.

County Commissioner Moses Lilan said the disaster management committee is putting up response mechanisms to deal with the anticipated effects of the heavy rains.

Lilan said they are taking the warning issued by the weatherman seriously and have unveiled a preparedness plan to tackle projected effects. “We have already put together response teams and are trying to harmonise the resources within our disposal as we prepare for the projected rains.”

He said the government is considering building dykes on the banks of river Sondu/Miriu as a long-term solution to the floods menace.

 Kisumu county director disaster management Mourice Oricho said the team is coordinating a multi sectoral approach on the measures they are putting in place as a way of responding to the effects of the floods which may come as a result of the anticipated rains.

 Oricho said they have set up three teams; county disaster management committee, interdepartmental disaster risk management mainstreaming committee and sub county team to tackle any possible disaster associated with the expected rains.

In the North Rift, residents in landslide and flood prone areas have been put on high alert by the Directorate of Disaster and Risk Management as heavy rains continue to pound various parts across the country.

– Reports by  Wangari Njuguna, Janet Wangui, Alvin Mwangi, Noven Owiti and Wycliff Kipsang