The Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has directed the Cabinet Secretaries, heads of State Departments and Semi-Autonomous Government Authorities (SAGAs) to prudently spend money earmarked to fund El Nino rains contingency measures.
The DP further called for a unified response to the El Niño rains saying the government is ready to work with governors, local and international partners to lessen its impact in the country.
Speaking on Thursday, September 28, 2023 when he hosted governors, Cabinet Secretaries, local and international partners and Kenya Red Cross at official Karen residence to consolidate the response to the anticipated El Niño rains, he said foolproof mitigation measures were already being rolled out.
“El Nino is beyond county governments; El Nino is beyond the National Government; El Nino is beyond our Partners. That is why we must work together by leveraging our diverse capacities in technical and financial resources. A synchronised strategy will offer a methodical implementation matrix of the mitigation measures.” He said.
He also urged county governments to fully use the emergency kitty towards the negative impact that may occur from the expected El Nino rains.
The DP directed the devolved units to prepare artificial waterways so as to reduce surface run-off and risk of flooding especially in residential areas.
“Counties should apply the emergency kitty fully so that we harness all resources from all sources towards the possible calamity. We recognise that with the expansion of our towns, we have not matched drainage systems as required. As a matter of urgency, we request counties to prepare artificial waterways. This will reduce surface run-off and risk of flooding, more so, in residential areas.” Gachagua added.
He also urged Kenyans living in low-lying and flood prone areas to move to higher grounds ahead of El-Nino rains.
In addition, he appealed to farmers to store their produce early to reduce losses.
Among the Cabinet Secretaries present were Rebecca Miano (East Africa Community, the Arid and Semi-Arid areas and Regional Development), Alice Wahome (Water), Aden Duale (Defence), Prof Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury) and Penina Malonza (Tourism).
Governors were led by their Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Ken Lusaka, (Bungoma), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) and Moses Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua). Also present were a team of Principal Secretaries led by Charles Hinga (Housing), Nixon Korir (Lands) and Belio Kipsang (Basic Education) among others.
Representatives from the United Nations and the Kenya Red Cross Society were also at the meeting.
The Deputy President said the government has embarked on deployment of various mitigation measures such as positioning the Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service to assist in unclogging of drainage systems ahead of the expected El Nino rains.
The move follows a warning by the Kenya Meteorological Department that the heavy rains are expected from September to January 2024.
Deputy President Gachagua said a technical committee – composed of principal secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Director General Agencies and a representative from the Council of Governors -will be constituted to deal with issues such as funds and resource mobilization.
“I give a government commitment that we will deploy all resources including Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service. We will convene a technical committee to deal with the devastation that may arise as a result of the rains and come up with a position of what is required. We will meet development partners and the Kenya private sector alliance. The County coordination committees will be activated to be chaired by governors and county commissioners.” He noted.
He said the government is also mapping out flood prone areas.
The Kenya Red Cross Society, in its presentation, said it will complement efforts of the government in the exercise.
The agency said at least 500,000 people may be affected by the El Niño rains in Kenya and that there may be an outbreak of diseases and damage to roads.
“We are prepositioning water treatment tablets and shelter kits. We need 30,000 kits but have 7,000 now. We depleted our stock during the drought season. We need additional kits to cover 65,000 households. We also need Sh750 million and we have Sh150 million but we are mobilising resources.” Red Cross representatives said.
