•Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru said some of the measures include disaster risk mapping and the establishment of early warning systems.
• She urged Kenyans to stay informed about the weather forecast monitor the weather forecast and be aware of the risks of flooding and landslides.
Image: CoG
County governments have revealed the strategies they have undertaken as part of preparation prior to the advent of the El Nino rains later in the year.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that Kenya is likely to experience the phenomenon in the October-November-December period.
In a statement on Wednesday, Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru said county governments have already put in motion mitigation measures to curtail the adverse effects of the expected torrential rains which will likely result in flooding.
She said some of the measures include disaster risk mapping and establishment of early warning systems.
Waiguru said county governments have mapped areas that are prone to flooding and landslides and have put in place early warning systems to alert residents of impending danger.
They have also dredged rivers and streams to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding besides inspecting and repairing key transport infrastructure including roads, bridges and culverts, she added.
According to the CoG boss, county governments are also monitoring dam water levels for purposes of alerting those downstream of any danger if need be as well as prepositioning food and non-food items in risk-prone areas.
"County governments are planting trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of flooding," Waiguru said, adding that the governments are also conducting public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the risks of El Nino and how to prepare for it.
She said county governments have also established dedicated committees to collaborate with various departments in handling all the preparedness measures.
"Some counties such as Nairobi City, Mombasa, Wajir, and Mandera have already launched their contingency plans to respond to the disaster. Other counties are in the tail end of the exercise," Waiguru said.
The Council of Governors boss further revealed that county governments will activate the County Emergency Fund, which accounts for 2 per cent of the total county budget, to respond to the effects of El Nino.
Waiguru, however, said the resources will not be adequate to enable the county governments to effectively prepare for and respond to the effects of the impending El Nino.
"I, therefore, call upon the National Government, through the set-aside funds under National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) to fund the county interventions."
Waiguru further called on Development Partners, Private Sector, Civil Societies and Kenyans from all walks of life to join hands with county governments in preparing and responding to the effects of the impending weather phenomenon.
She urged Kenyans to stay informed about the weather forecast monitor the weather forecast and be aware of the risks of flooding and landslides.
"Identify safe places to go in case of flooding or landslides. Have a plan for where you will go and what you will do if you need to evacuate your home," Waiguru said.