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Counties require an estimated Sh15 billion for mitigation purposes in the expected El Niño rains, even as Kenyans living in flood prone areas are urged to move to higher grounds.

Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru yesterday said counties have been coordinating a response mechanism in preparation for El Niño and so far, 23 have submitted their status reports.
They include Isiolo, Lamu, Nyamira, Marsabit West Pokot, Vihiga, Kakamega, Murang’a, Laikipia, Machakos, Kiambu, Nakuru and Homa Bay among others.

“Counties have done a quick estimation of the resources they will be requiring to deal with this matter and out of the 23 counties, we already have an estimation of about Sh8 billion, you can imagine that by the time others come, we probably be at Sh15 billion required to fund the preparedness and response activities,” said Waiguru.

She was speaking in Nairobi during the El Niño and Impact Mitigation Strategic meeting, presided over by Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

“Alarmingly, as counties, we only have in our emergency fund Sh1 billion, this is a drop in the ocean compared to what it is required. We are expecting a budget from the counties of about Sh15 billion with El Niño required for food supplies, water storage, medical supplies, fuel reserves, evacuation among others,” she said.

Urgent evacuations

In the plans submitted, Waiguru said some of the recommendations include urgent evacuation protocols for communities in highrisk areas, swift and resilient restoration of infrastructure, robust disease prevention and control mechanisms and clearing of drainage among others.

“We request National Treasury to release resources pending for counties to be able to out the emergency fund in place. We have a little of August monies for about four counties and for September, only seven have received, about Sh35 billion and that would go a long way for them,” she said.

One of the avenues for resources that the Government can explore, she said, is the World Bank, which has funds for emergencies usually given to countries when facing situations as this and does not require a lengthy process.

“We have done that before, it is like a drawback insurance so we do not have to wait until the disaster happens and then go to ask for resources. The resources available for Kenya is about Sh35 billion (USD250 million) and all that is required is a Cabinet approval and a letter from the Attorney General and the National Treasury can draw the money as soon as next week,” she explained.

The Deputy President said discussions have already started with National Treasury on preparedness in terms of resources from the contingency fund, even as he urged the Ministry to establish ways to unlock resources from World Bank and other partners to mitigate negative impact of the rains.

Emergency kitty

Similarly, he said that counties are requested to apply their emergency kitty fully for this mitigation so that the country can harness all the resources from all possible sources to deal with this emergency
“We will apply all resources at its disposal including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and National Youth Service (NYS),” said Gachagua.

Gachagua urged Kenyans living in flood-prone areas to move to higher grounds ahead of the expected El Niño rains to mitigate a tragedy.

He also urged farmers, especially those with grains, to harvest and store their produce early and where possible sell to willing buyers to minimize post-harvest losses.

“It is important for us Kenyans to take measures to reduce the negative impact of these rains and that is why we are appealing to those living in low-lying flood-prone areas to move to higher grounds,” said Gachagua.

Kenyans were also requested to be proactive in reporting emergencies through the channels that the Government will publicize.

At the same time, Gachagua has directed counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru to give priority to cleaning and unclogging drainage networks.

With expansion of towns, he said, some draining systems have not been equally matched as required and as a matter of urgency, counties should prepare artificial water ways including service run-off and risk of flooding especially in residential areas.

“El Niño is beyond counties, national governments, development partners hence the need to work together by leveraging diverse capacities in technical and financial resources,” he said.