Nairobi: The Ministry of Health has activated preparedness measures at national and county levels ahead of the anticipated 2026 El Ni±o rains. This includes issuing a health advisory to all 47 counties, even as the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts a 99 percent probability of above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026, with the rains expected to continue into February 2027. The advisory, guided by the Health Sector El Ni±o Contingency Plan, calls on county governments, partners, and members of the public to take early action to protect lives and health.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki, expressed concern over the potential health risks associated with the upcoming rains. She noted that heavy rainfall and flooding could contaminate water sources and increase mosquito breeding, raising the risk of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever. Additionally, flooding poses dangers such as injuries, drowning, damage to health facilities, and disruption of essential healthcare services.
Muriuki highlighted that past experiences, like the September 2023 to February 2024 El Ni±o period which affected 43 counties, have informed current preparations. During that time, Kenya recorded 175 deaths, 40 missing people, and 242 injuries, with 384,216 people displaced into 170 camps. Of the 1,434 health facilities assessed across 11 counties, 64 became inaccessible, with increased cases of cholera, Rift Valley fever, and malaria reported.
Every county is expected to maintain basic preparedness, with those at higher risk of flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, injuries, or malnutrition required to strengthen readiness without delay. County governments have been advised to activate emergency coordination teams and Public Health Emergency Operations Centres, protect health facilities at risk, ensure the availability of medicines and vaccines, strengthen disease surveillance, monitor drinking water safety, intensify malaria prevention, prepare ambulances, manage malnutrition, maintain essential health services, and provide mental health support.
Muriuki emphasized the importance of specific counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, and Garissa in the North Eastern region, among others, to be particularly vigilant. She urged counties to act early to prevent avoidable deaths, disease outbreaks, and disruption of health services.
In her advice to the public, Muriuki encouraged households to practice safe drinking water measures, maintain hygiene, cook food properly, use safe toilets, avoid floodwaters, and use mosquito nets. She stressed the importance of planning special care for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. She also advised prompt medical attention for anyone experiencing symptoms like watery diarrhea, vomiting, severe weakness, or persistent fever.
Muriuki reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to providing technical guidance, coordinating support, and sharing timely and accurate information throughout the season. She urged the public to adhere to official health and weather advisories and to ignore rumors and misinformation. The forecasted prolonged rainy season underscores the need for preparedness at both county and household levels to prevent a repeat of past El Ni±o devastation.
