NAIROBI, Kenya- The Ministry of Health has activated emergency preparedness measures across all 47 counties ahead of anticipated El Niño rains, warning of flooding, disease outbreaks, injuries and disruption of essential health services.
In a public health advisory dated September 14, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the Kenya Meteorological Department had forecast a 99 per cent probability of above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026, with the rains expected to continue into February 2027.
Heavy rainfall and flooding could contaminate water sources and create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of cholera, typhoid, malaria, dengue fever and Rift Valley fever.
Floods could also cause injuries and drowning, damage health facilities, block access to medical services and disrupt food supplies. Children could face an increased risk of malnutrition, while warmer conditions could cause dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.
She cited the September 2023 to February 2024 El Niño period, during which 43 of Kenya’s 47 counties were affected.
At least 175 people died, 40 were reported missing and 242 were injured. Another 384,216 people were displaced and accommodated in 170 camps.
Out of 1,434 health facilities assessed across 11 counties, 64 became inaccessible. Increased cases of cholera, malaria and Rift Valley fever were also recorded.
The new advisory directs county governments to activate emergency coordination teams and Public Health Emergency Operations Centres immediately.
Counties must identify health facilities at risk of flooding or becoming inaccessible and ensure medicines, vaccines and other essential supplies are available.
They have also been directed to strengthen disease surveillance, monitor drinking-water safety, intensify malaria prevention and mosquito control, prepare ambulances and maintain health services for vulnerable residents.
Areas requiring particular attention include Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit and Garissa in northeastern Kenya; Kitui, Makueni and Machakos in the southeast; and Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Mombasa at the Coast.
The Kano Plains in Kisumu, Budalang’i in Busia and the Tana Delta have also been identified as high-risk areas.
Counties have further been warned about possible landslides in Murang’a, Nyeri, Meru, the Gusii Highlands, West Pokot and areas along the Rift Valley escarpment.
“We have learnt from previous El Niño emergencies, and our goal is to prevent avoidable deaths, disease outbreaks and disruption of health services,” the ministry said.
National preparations are being coordinated through the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department, National Disaster Operations Centre, county governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Food Programme and Kenya Red Cross Society.
The government is positioning medicines, nutritional supplies, cholera-response materials and mosquito-control products in areas where they may be required.
Members of the public have been advised to boil or treat drinking water when its safety is uncertain, wash their hands with soap, cook food thoroughly and avoid contact with floodwater.
Families should also keep prescribed medicines, first-aid supplies, oral rehydration salts, soap and water-treatment products ready.
Anyone experiencing sudden watery diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, reduced urination, bloody diarrhoea or persistent fever should seek medical attention immediately, the ministry said.
