Kericho: The Kenya Red Cross Society, Kericho Branch, has expanded its outreach by strengthening community-based disaster preparedness and response mechanisms through local resource mobilization initiatives to enhance humanitarian support capacity during emergencies. This initiative was spotlighted during the Humanity Power Walk held in Kericho town, attended by hundreds of students, humanitarian volunteers, county officials, and residents as part of a major awareness and fundraising campaign aimed at supporting disaster response activities in Kericho and neighboring counties.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event attracted participants from at least 12 learning institutions, including primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. It began with a procession through major streets of Kericho town, culminating at Moi Garden, where speeches, sensitization forums, and award presentations took place. The walk highlighted the increasing pressure on humanitarian agencies and county governments to respond to frequent disasters such as floods, fire outbreaks, drowning incidents, landslides, and public health emergencies affecting vulnerable communities across various parts of the country.
Speaking during the event, Kenya Red Cross Kericho and Bomet County Coordinator Augustine Korir emphasized that the Humanity Power Walk was organized to mobilize local resources to supplement emergency response efforts and strengthen disaster preparedness programs at the grassroots level. Korir noted that engaging schools and learning institutions is part of efforts to instill humanitarian values, volunteerism, and disaster awareness among young people, who are crucial in supporting community resilience during emergencies. The participation of students and teachers demonstrated growing public awareness of the importance of preparedness and collective responsibility in addressing disasters, which often leave affected families in urgent need of shelter, food, medical assistance, and psychosocial support.
In an interview with Kenya News Agency, Korir explained that the Kenya Red Cross Society remains one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the country, mandated to respond to disasters, save lives, and alleviate human suffering during emergencies. The organization collaborates closely with national and county governments, local communities, and development partners in areas of emergency rescue operations, first aid response, water and sanitation services, environmental conservation, disease prevention, disaster risk reduction, and public health interventions. “Red Cross exists to serve humanity and support people affected by disasters and emergencies. We also continue to work with communities on disaster preparedness and mitigation to reduce the impact of calamities whenever they occur,” said Korir.
Founded through an Act of Parliament in 1965, the Kenya Red Cross Society has expanded its operations nationwide through volunteer networks and branch offices that provide rapid response services during emergencies such as floods, road accidents, fires, disease outbreaks, and displacement crises. The organization has also continued to strengthen youth engagement programs in schools and colleges through Red Cross clubs, which train learners in leadership, emergency response skills, first aid, and humanitarian service.
Representing Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, County Executive Committee Member for Public Service Management Jonathan Korir stated that the county government would continue collaborating with the Kenya Red Cross to strengthen disaster management structures within the county. Korir noted that Kericho County has experienced disasters such as drowning incidents, fire outbreaks, and landslides, necessitating stronger partnerships between humanitarian agencies and government institutions to improve emergency preparedness and response capacity. He highlighted that the county’s Disaster Management Unit has been working closely with Red Cross personnel through technical training and knowledge-sharing programs aimed at equipping response teams with the necessary skills to handle emergencies.
The CEC member further observed that climate change and rapid population growth were contributing to increased disaster risks in many regions, making disaster preparedness and community sensitization programs more important than ever before. Kericho Red Cross Board Chair Helen Ngeno urged the public to actively support humanitarian activities through local donations and volunteer initiatives to strengthen emergency response programs within the county. Ngeno emphasized that local community contributions play a critical role in sustaining emergency interventions during disasters, even as many people wrongly perceive humanitarian support as the responsibility of multinational organizations and foreign donors. She further encouraged residents to partner with the Kenya Red Cross through community engagement programs, stating that collective participation remains key in building resilient communities capable of responding effectively to disasters.
The event also recognized participating schools, volunteers, and stakeholders through award presentations for their contributions to humanitarian activities and disaster awareness campaigns. The Humanity Power Walk not only served as a fundraising platform but also reinforced the urgent need for stronger community participation in disaster preparedness, response, and humanitarian support amid rising emergency cases across the country.
