Mandera:The anticipated El Niño rains could potentially cut off Mandera County from road and air access, causing significant concerns over the delivery of essential services and emergency supplies.
According to Kenya News Agency, National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) Director Col. (Rtd) David Samoei highlighted that the county’s seven airstrips remain untarmacked, and roads leading to the region often become impassable with heavy rains. Speaking at a multi-agency El Niño preparedness meeting in Nairobi, Samoei warned that prolonged disruptions might interfere with critical services and expose residents to severe hardship and potential loss of life.
The government is bolstering preparedness efforts to keep essential services, especially healthcare and security operations, functional throughout the rainy period. Mandera relies heavily on diesel-powered generators, consuming approximately 15,000 litres of fuel daily. To sustain operations for three months, the region will require at least 1.8 million litres of diesel, ensuring electricity supplies to hospitals and critical security installations remain uninterrupted.
Samoei emphasized that Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia, and Mandera are prioritized for special attention due to their past experiences with similar disasters and vulnerability to the forthcoming heavy rains. The NDOC is coordinating preparations through regular meetings with government agencies, private sectors, and NGOs to enhance emergency response efforts.
The Ministry of Education has urged authorities to find alternative facilities for displaced families, rather than using schools as temporary shelters, to avoid damage and delays in the resumption of learning post-disaster. Samoei called for improved cooperation among government agencies to enhance disaster planning and ensure timely emergency responses.
Additionally, he encouraged the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to waive charges for aircraft involved in humanitarian operations during disasters, to reduce operational costs and expedite emergency assistance delivery. Preparations include inspecting major roads and bridges, identifying stormwater hotspots, and inspecting dams, including draining Nairobi Dam, to minimize infrastructure damage.
Samoei urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to weather advisories and official alerts. Preparedness efforts involve multiple state agencies, including the Kenya National Highways Authority, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, and others, to safeguard lives and livelihoods during the anticipated heavy rains.
