Kenya Red Cross Warns 2 Million People Could Be Affected by El Niño Rains

The Kenya Red Cross has warned that more than two million people could be affected by the El Niño rains expected between October and December 2026, with 46 of the country’s 47 counties at risk.

Speaking during an interview, Dr Ahmed Idris said the anticipated impact of El Niño was huge in scale, adding that the scale of the expected impact had informed the country’s level of preparedness.

“We have intensified the training of our response teams by providing refresher training so that they can respond to emergencies efficiently,” Idris said.

He said the country had also strengthened its water rescue and search-and-rescue capacity, with 42 boats positioned across the country to support emergency operations.

In a separate account, Kenya Red Cross Disaster Risk Reduction Manager Peter Murgor said preparations were between 70 and 75 per cent, with county and national contingency plans being reviewed and early warning information already being disseminated to communities.

Murgor identified Garissa, Tana River, the coastal counties and parts of Western Kenya among the areas of concern, alongside Baringo and West Pokot, which are vulnerable to flooding.

In addition, Idris said the response was being coordinated with communities and institutions, while agencies including the Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service were being brought into the preparedness efforts. Resources are also being mobilised in partnership with development and donor organisations.

The warning comes as authorities intensify preparations to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to flooding and other emergencies expected during the rainy season.

In Nairobi, preparations have focused on clearing drainage systems and addressing 16 flood hotspots identified across the city. County teams have been removing waste and deepening drainage channels to improve the flow of stormwater.

The scale of the challenge has been particularly evident at Kware Bridge, where county officials said about 1,500 truckloads of waste had been collected since April, with daily servicing of the collection point continuing.

Nairobi has also mapped three possible flood scenarios, including a worst-case situation in which more than 100,000 households could be affected. Rescue centres have been identified across the city, while drainage works have been undertaken in areas including Westlands, First Parklands, Mukuru and Kibera.

In Garissa, Governor Nathif Jama has convened a multi-stakeholder preparedness meeting to coordinate the county’s response to possible flooding along the Tana River and urged residents living near the riverline to move to safer areas.