Kenya Coast Guard steps up preparations ahead of El Niño rains

Nairobi, Kenya — The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) is ramping up preparations for the height of the El Niño rainfall season, deploying personnel and resources to flood-prone regions along Kenya’s coastline, lakes, and waterways. According to the Ministry of Interior, the service is conducting pre-deployment and readiness assessments to bolster the nation’s response to flooding and maritime emergencies.

Key focus areas include the Tana River Delta, Garsen, the Lamu Archipelago, Vanga, and Shimoni in Kwale County. In Mombasa, the KCGS has identified Tudor and Port Reitz creeks, along with Kilifi Creek and the Sabaki River, as critical areas for readiness. These measures have also been extended inland to cover the Lake Victoria Basin, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Naivasha, the Turkwel River, and Lake Turkana.

The KCGS has established a dedicated Maritime Disaster Response Joint Operations Centre in Mombasa to ensure rapid response capabilities. This center will operate around the clock, maintaining communication links with the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) to enable coordinated and swift emergency responses. The KCGS’s proactive steps are part of broader government initiatives to enhance disaster preparedness, as Kenya anticipates heightened rainfall and potential flooding during the peak El Niño period.

Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone regions to stay vigilant and heed official advisories as emergency agencies continue to augment their readiness.