Schools across the country are being placed on alert ahead of the expected October and November El Niño rains, with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directing that steps be taken to protect learners, teachers and school property while keeping classes and national examinations on course.
The Ministry of Education has joined hands with the Kenya Red Cross Society to improve the way schools prepare for and respond to emergencies as forecasts indicate that the heavy rains could bring flooding, damage buildings and disrupt movement to and from learning institutions.
Ogamba announced the preparedness measures on Monday, August 31, 2026, following a meeting with Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Idris at the Ministry’s Jogoo House B offices in Nairobi.
The plan comes as schools prepare for the final part of the academic year, with the ministry seeking to avoid a repeat of situations where bad weather affects learning, examinations and the safety of school communities.
Ogamba said the education sector remains exposed to disasters linked to climate change and other related risks.
“The education sector is exposed to disasters occasioned by climate change and related risks. Disaster preparedness and management are therefore indispensable to ensuring the safety and security of learners, teachers and school property, and the seamless delivery of education and training,” Ogamba said.
The ministry said schools will be supported to make preparations before the heavy rains set in, with attention placed on the safety of learners, teachers and school facilities.
Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Idris and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba at the Ministry’s Jogoo House B offices in Nairobi on August 31, 2026.
PHOTO/MoE
Exams given priority
With thousands of candidates expected to sit their end-of-year national examinations, keeping the assessment process on schedule is among the key issues being addressed under the emergency plan.
Heavy rains and flooding can make it difficult for candidates to reach examination centres, while damaged roads and other infrastructure can also affect the movement of teachers and examination officials.
The ministry said it will work with its partners to put measures in place to ensure candidates remain safe and education activities continue even if parts of the country experience severe weather.
Ogamba gave an assurance that national examinations and other assessments will not be left to chance as the country prepares for the expected rains.
“The Ministry, together with partners such as the Kenya Red Cross Society, will implement all measures necessary to ensure that learners, teachers and school communities are safe, and that education programmes, including national examinations and assessments, proceed without interruption,” he said.
The measures are expected to help schools deal with possible emergencies while allowing learners to continue with their studies and candidates to undertake their examinations safely.
Red Cross to support schools
The meeting between Ogamba and Idris also focused on the role of the Kenya Red Cross in helping schools prepare for possible emergencies.
The humanitarian organisation is expected to work with the ministry on disaster response plans, safety measures and awareness programmes for school communities.
The work will pay attention to schools that could be exposed to flooding and other problems caused by the heavy rains.
Through the partnership, schools are expected to have better plans in place before emergencies occur instead of waiting until disasters have already affected learning.
The ministry’s engagement with the Kenya Red Cross also highlights the growing need for schools to prepare for weather events that can affect classrooms, school property, learners and teachers.
Previous El Niño seasons have caused problems for schools, including damage to classrooms, roads and bridges used by learners and teachers.
In some areas, heavy rainfall has also led to temporary school closures and made it harder for students, teachers and education officials to travel.
The Education Ministry is now seeking to limit such disruptions by starting preparations ahead of the expected October-November rains.
The emergency plan will focus on protecting school communities, keeping education programmes running and ensuring national examinations and assessments are carried out without interruption.
With the Kenya Red Cross involved in the preparations, the ministry hopes schools will be better placed to respond to flooding and other weather-related emergencies while keeping learners and teachers safe.