Warning has come early, no reason El Niño should catch us unprepared

World weather experts have forecast the high possibility of one of the most devastating El Niño weather experiences happening in the second half of 2026.

Our own national weather watchers have themselves sent out reports and warnings months before the onset of the phenomenon.

We hope that the National Disaster Management Authority, save for grappling with the depressing spate of building collapses on the back of the well-entrenched Kenyan culture of cutting corners when putting up high-rise buildings (two buildings under construction have collapsed in Ngong’ and Kisumu inside 72 hours), will prepare a thorough rescue plan to save lives and property.

The calamitous events of 1996-97 are still fresh in the minds of those who experienced the broken bridges and devastated farmlands, not to mention the loss of lives triggered by landslides and heavy floods.

The early warning system must map out the most vulnerable populations in flood-prone areas who will definitely bear the brunt of the catastrophic weather event.

The planning must involve a multi-agency approach lest we find ourselves in situations in which the right hand does not have an idea of what the left hand is doing.

Approaching the potential disaster without serious preparations will have been a gross dereliction of public trust.

Quote of the day: “Life is about making right things and going on...” —Indian novelist R K Narayan (Malguidi Days) died on May 13, 2001.