Nairobi, August 1, 2026 – As Kenya braces for the impending El Niño-induced rains, the humanitarian and development arm of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), known as Caritas Kenya, is intensifying its anticipatory planning to minimize the catastrophic effects of flooding. With forecasts indicating an 80–82% probability of El Niño persisting through 2026, the organization is deploying strategic interventions to safeguard vulnerable communities before disaster strikes.
A Proactive Response to an Uncertain Climate Crisis
Samuel Omondi, the National Director of Caritas Kenya, highlighted the organization’s preparedness efforts during the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), held in Nairobi from July 19–26. Speaking to ACI Africa, Omondi emphasized that Caritas Kenya has secured critical funding from international development partners to bolster its disaster response capabilities.
“At this stage, we are focusing on anticipatory planning based on the meteorological forecasts predicting heavy El Niño rains later this year,” Omondi stated. “We are collaborating with our international Caritas affiliates in Kenya to enhance our operational readiness, ensuring we can respond effectively to any emerging crisis.”
One of the key initiatives involves improving digital infrastructure to facilitate cash-based assistance—a rapid and efficient method of delivering aid to affected populations. Recently, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) allocated 2.7 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $19,000 USD) to strengthen Caritas Kenya’s information and communication technology (ICT) systems, enabling smoother coordination of cash transfers to flood victims.
Additionally, Trócaire, an Irish Catholic development agency, contributed €12,000 (around $13,000 USD) to support local resource mobilization efforts, ensuring that Caritas Kenya can swiftly deploy emergency responses when needed.
Historical Context: Kenya’s Vulnerability to Flooding
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that the intensifying El Niño phenomenon could trigger severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and disease outbreaks across Kenya. Recent events underscore the country’s heightened susceptibility to climate-related disasters:
- March 2026 Flash Floods in Nairobi: A six-hour downpour led to over 50 fatalities, widespread property damage, and disruptions in urban services.
- April 2026 Storms in Mombasa and Kwale Counties: Heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds caused localized flooding, displacing residents, destroying homes, and crippling transportation networks.
These incidents mirror the devastation wrought by the 2024 floods, which resulted in over 300 deaths, hundreds of thousands of displacements, and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and roads.
Targeted Interventions: Mapping Vulnerable Regions
Caritas Kenya’s strategy is geographically focused, prioritizing areas historically prone to flooding:
- Lake Basin Region: Beyond flash floods, this region faces backflow from Lake Victoria, exacerbating waterlogging and agricultural losses.
- Tana River Basin: Coastal areas along the river are frequently inundated, displacing communities and damaging livelihoods.
- Informal Settlements in Nairobi: Unplanned urban expansion and inadequate drainage systems make these areas high-risk zones during heavy rainfall.
To ensure precision in aid delivery, Caritas Kenya has conducted comprehensive needs assessments in collaboration with 12 diocesan Caritas offices operating in flood-prone zones. These assessments include:
– Registration of vulnerable populations to identify those most at risk.
– Training programs for diocesan Caritas teams to enhance early warning systems and emergency response protocols.
Omondi noted that preventive measures are being implemented, such as constructing water collection tanks and sanitation facilities in schools affected by contaminated water sources—a direct consequence of past flooding.
Long-Term Resilience: Addressing Poverty and Climate Shocks
Beyond immediate disaster response, Caritas Kenya is strengthening community resilience through sustainable development projects focused on:
– Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks.
– Nutrition and Food Security: Supporting agricultural practices and food distribution to mitigate malnutrition.
– Livelihood Enhancement: Empowering communities with skills training and income-generating activities to reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.
However, economic hardships compound Kenya’s climate challenges. Omondi explained:
“The persistent cost-of-living crisis, coupled with recurrent droughts and floods, is pushing millions into poverty. In 2022, we faced a severe drought, followed by the 2024 floods. Now, we anticipate another round of flooding—this cyclical pattern is unsustainable for our communities.”
Despite these challenges, Caritas Kenya remains committed to collaborative solutions, recognizing that partnerships with local and international stakeholders are essential for scaling up interventions.
Funding Challenges: Navigating Donor Fatigue
While Caritas Kenya has received critical support from Catholic partners like CRS, reduced international funding poses a significant threat to its operations. Omondi highlighted the impact of reduced donor contributions, particularly from the U.S. government, which led to the shutdown of the Nawiri project—a multi-billion-shilling initiative supporting northern Kenya communities.
The Nawiri project, funded by the U.S. and spanning six years, focused on:
– Nutrition programs
– Emergency response mechanisms
– Livelihood strengthening
Its closure resulted in the layoff of over 200 employees across diocesan Caritas offices. However, Omondi expressed cautious optimism:
“While we have seen a decline in external funding, there are signs of improvement from Catholic donors. Though we may not return to previous levels of support, every contribution counts in our fight against climate-induced disasters.”
A Call to Action: Strengthening Kenya’s Disaster Preparedness
As Kenya stands on the brink of another El Niño-induced crisis, Caritas Kenya’s anticipatory planning serves as a model for proactive humanitarian action. By leveraging technology, community engagement, and sustainable development, the organization is working to reduce vulnerability and save lives before disasters strike.
With flooding, drought, and economic instability creating a perfect storm of suffering, the need for increased international solidarity and local resilience-building has never been greater. As Omondi underscored:
“No single entity can combat climate change alone. It requires united efforts—from governments, donors, and communities—to build a future where Kenyans are not just survivors, but resilient, empowered, and prepared.”
Caritas Kenya officials reviewing flood risk assessments in a high-vulnerability region.
A community in the Lake Basin region receiving anticipatory cash transfers ahead of predicted El Niño rains.
Diocesan Caritas teams undergoing training on emergency response protocols.
Schools in Nairobi installing flood-resistant water collection systems to prevent contamination.
Residents in Mombasa County assessing flood damage from recent storms.
Caritas Kenya’s mobile cash distribution unit deployed in flood-affected areas.
