Kenya Coast Guard steps up preparedness for El Niño rains

The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) is intensifying preparations for potential flooding and other emergencies along the Kenyan coastline, lakes, and shared waterways in anticipation of the anticipated El Niño rains. KCGS is strengthening its operational readiness by inspecting and servicing patrol boats, inflatable rescue crafts, and lifesaving equipment.

The Service has also secured fuel reserves, emergency rations, medical kits, and communication equipment to support sustained emergency operations. A dedicated Maritime Disaster Response Joint Operations Centre has been established at KCGS headquarters in Mombasa to improve coordination and situational awareness. KCGS will deploy additional personnel, vessels, and equipment to high-risk areas, with priority given to the Tana River Delta, Garsen, Lamu Archipelago, Vanga, Shimoni, Tudor, Port Reitz creeks, Kilifi Creek, and the Sabaki River mouth.

Inland waterways such as the Lake Victoria Basin, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Naivasha, Turkwel River, and Lake Turkana will also receive heightened attention due to the potential for rising water levels and flash floods. The KCGS has issued a Maritime Security Alert to vessel operators, urging them to maintain functional communication equipment and adequate safety gear while at sea as patrols are intensified ahead of the monsoon season.

Brief written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.