NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has allocated Sh40 million for disaster preparedness in the current financial year as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of emergencies such as floods and drought.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Senators on Wednesday that the government will mobilize additional resources should the need arise.
Murkomen was responding to a query from Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla, who sought clarity on the country’s preparedness to handle extreme weather events, especially after the devastating floods of 2024.
According to Murkomen, Kisumu, Busia, and Tana River counties are at risk of flooding due to expected above-normal rainfall between March and May 2025.
A weather forecast by the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates that while the western part of the country will experience heavy rains, most other regions are expected to receive below-normal rainfall.
The warning comes in the wake of last year’s prolonged rains, which led to widespread destruction.
In 2024, flooding claimed 315 lives, displaced over 293,000 people, and affected more than 412,000 others.
The disaster also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities, while destroying 298,673 acres of farmland and killing 9,367 livestock.
In response to lessons from past disasters, Murkomen said the government is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and strengthening disaster response measures.
These efforts include improving drainage systems in urban areas, rehabilitating roads and key infrastructure, stockpiling food and non-food emergency supplies, enhancing early warning systems and public awareness campaigns, and developing evacuation and response plans for swift action in case of floods
Additionally, the government is working with stakeholders to promote reforestation and soil conservation, which are crucial in flood control.
With heavy rains expected in certain regions, Murkomen emphasized the need for community preparedness and collaborative efforts to minimize losses.
The government is also prioritizing communication and coordination strategies to ensure timely response to emergencies.
As climate change continues to drive extreme weather patterns, the country remains on high alert to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastation.
