• He wants the residents to heed advice given by experts on mitigation measures should the heavy rains occur starting later this month.
• Natembeya presided over the commissioning of the El Niño multiagency preparedness contingency plan for Trans Nzoia county.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Do not ignore possible effects of the expected El Niño rains and instead prepare adequately for any eventualities, Governor George Natembeya has urged Trans Nzoia residents.
He told them to heed advice given by experts on mitigation measures should the heavy rains occur later this month.
Natembeya spoke when he presided over the commissioning of the El Niño multiagency preparedness contingency plan for Trans Nzoia county.
The plan outlines strategies to safeguard the community against the impending threats of El Niño, which is characterised by warmer ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and above normal rains.
Governor Natembeya emphasised the importance of collaboration between the county government and stakeholders such as the office of the county commissioner, humanitarian agencies such as the Kenya Red Cross Society, and other agencies that contributed to the development of the plan.
The plan he commissioned includes measures to protect farmers' crops, prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, and supporting of businesses that may be disrupted by the rains.
The governor said the county has activated its County Disaster Committee and set up a command centre with a toll free number 800724994 to ensure it is prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise.
In the agriculture sector, the county government is urging farmers to adopt the warehouse receipt system to protect their maize from the rains.
Farmers will be charged Sh10 per bag to use this system. In the health sector, the county government will carry out awareness campaigns and ensure that treatment plans for waterborne diseases are adopted in all health facilities.
The county will also utilise its County Health Promoters to monitor the situation and respond early to any outbreaks.
In the trade sector, the county government is working on measures to ensure that businesses recover post-El Niño.
Natembeya said the county had also established an emergency fund to be utilised in ensuring that it is prepared to respond to emergencies that may arise during El Niño rains.
The county government is calling on partners to assist in pooling resources to have more impact on the community.
The governor said the county has mapped out hotspot areas based on situational analysis from the data on floods and mudslides experienced in the past.
This data has formed the basis for the plan, enabling concerted efforts to be put in those areas to mitigate effects.
“In times of disaster, the community must come together. Each and every one has a role to play in mitigating the effects of this phenomenon,” Natembeya said.
He urged residents to take care of the women, children, and people with disabilities who are likely to be more affected and require special assistance.
Trans Nzoia county commissioner Gideon Oyagi said El Niño can have both positive and negative effects on the region.
On the positive side, increased rainfall can replenish water sources and improve agricultural productivity.
However, excessive rainfall can also lead to flooding, landslides, and water logging, causing destruction to infrastructure, displacement of communities, and loss of lives and livelihoods.
“While the El Niño weather phenomenon cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, it is essential for the community to be prepared," Oyagi said.
"Together, the community can build a more resilient and prepared society that can withstand the storm, no matter how severe it may be.”
The administrator called on the Trans Nzoia residents to stay informed about weather forecasts and emergency alerts.