Kenya Red Cross calls for early action ahead of El Niño rains

Kenya's Red Cross Secretary General Irshad Idris has urged for proactive steps as the country anticipates the onset of El Niño rains during the October–December 2026 rainfall season, which is set to coincide with school reopening, national examinations and preparations for the 2027 general election. Addressing the 13th National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF13) on Monday, August 24, Idris stressed the importance of interpreting climate forecasts from a risk perspective and converting them into clear, actionable information for households and communities.

He emphasized that the priority should be ensuring that climate information reaches the public in a comprehensible form, enabling them to understand the risks and take appropriate precautions before the rains commence. The Kenya Red Cross highlighted the potential overlap of El Niño rains with school reopening, national examinations and heightened political activity preceding the 2027 General Election, underscoring the necessity for early preparedness.

Heavy rains and flooding could disrupt transportation, school attendance, learning activities and the distribution of examination materials, while election-related meetings and mobilization could strain essential services. Idris emphasized the heightened responsibility on policymakers to act early and translate climate forecasts into clear, actionable information for communities.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki echoed Idris's call during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Nairobi on the same day, urging national and county governments to intensify preparations to minimize the impact of flooding and other rain-related emergencies. Kindiki requested county disaster preparedness steering committees to become fully operational immediately and prepare for potential emergencies.

He urged the unclogging of drainage systems and the preparation of infrastructure in areas likely to experience flooding, noting that a drainage program was already underway in Nairobi and that the government would engage other potentially vulnerable counties. Kindiki announced a meeting to convene with about 18 counties identified as possibly affected by the rains, including Mombasa, and called for all relevant government agencies to collaborate ahead of the rains.