Kenya sets aside 2.9 billion shillings to prepare for El Niño rains — Nation Kenya

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has set aside 2.9 billion Kenyan shillings to prepare for heavy rains associated with El Niño. As Nation Kenya reports, measures are planned in 18 high-risk counties where flooding is expected.

The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts a 99% probability of above-normal rainfall. Heavy rains and flooding are expected from October to December.

Medicines and anti-malaria nets

The draft health sector action plan provides for vulnerability assessments and identification of high-risk areas, procurement of necessary medicines and supplies, as well as strengthening water supply and sanitation. Part of the budget is to be allocated to medicines, laboratory services and epidemiological surveillance.

Essential medicines, cholera response kits and laboratory equipment are planned to be delivered to areas that may be cut off by floodwaters. Starting in November, 10 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets are also to be distributed across the country to prevent a possible rise in malaria cases.

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The Ministry of Health will coordinate the response to the consequences of El Niño with security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces.

Consequences of previous rains

According to Nation Kenya, heavy rains may cause injuries, drownings, disease outbreaks, mental health problems, displacement of people and aflatoxin poisoning. Flooding may also disrupt the operation of healthcare facilities due to inundation, power outages, damaged roads and supply disruptions.

During El Niño in 2023, 175 people died in Kenya, 40 people went missing and another 242 were injured. According to the National Disaster Operations Centre, 60,367 households were affected and nearly 384,216 people were displaced.