Democratic Party Leader Justin Muturi has urged President William Ruto to shift his focus from political mobilisation to preparing the country for a possible El Niño disaster, warning that the weather threat could deepen Kenya’s existing food, health and economic problems.
Muturi on Wednesday said the President should place the full machinery of government on an emergency preparedness footing instead of concentrating on campaign rallies and political activities.
“The emerging threat of El Niño demands presidential leadership, not political theatre,” Muturi said, calling for Kenya to show the same urgency as other African countries facing serious weather risks.
He warned that the country was already dealing with several challenges that could be made worse by extreme weather. Farmers are facing the risk of crop losses, food security remains under pressure, while the health system continues to experience strikes and other disruptions.
“A high-impact weather event could turn these existing challenges into a national crisis,” Muturi said.
The opposition leader cautioned that the government should not wait for hospitals to become overwhelmed, crops to be destroyed or families to be displaced before taking action.
“Preparedness must come before disaster, not after it,” he said.
Muturi wants Ruto to “immediately abandon the daily campaign architecture” and direct government agencies towards preparing for the possible impact of El Niño.
He called for the President to bring together national and county governments, put in place a clear command structure and identify areas likely to face the greatest risks.
He also wants the government to secure emergency resources and require agencies tasked with disaster response to prove that they are ready to act if the situation worsens.
“This must be an operational plan—not another press statement, political rally or promise,” Muturi said.
The former Attorney General said protecting Kenyans and securing the country should remain the President’s main responsibility, with political campaigns taking a back seat.
“But when millions of Kenyans face a foreseeable threat to their food, health, homes and livelihoods, the President’s place is not on top of the campaign car. It is at the command centre of the Republic,” he said.
Muturi’s warning comes amid growing concern over the possible impact of El Niño, with weather authorities pointing to the risk of heavy rains and other extreme conditions.
The World Meteorological Organization said on September 3 that El Niño was firmly established and had an “exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100%” of continuing through February 2027. The weather pattern could bring floods, drought and extreme heat.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has also warned of the potential for strong El Niño conditions, with above-normal rainfall expected between October and December.
Government assessments have placed 18 counties on the priority list for preparedness. They include Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa, Kwale, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Narok, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera.
Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu have also been identified as high-risk urban centres.
The risks mapped by the government include flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, displacement, damage to infrastructure, drought, food insecurity and disruption of essential services.
Muturi said the government must now move beyond warnings and put practical measures in place before the weather threat causes widespread damage.
He urged Ruto to “move from campaigning to governing, from speeches to preparedness, and from political mobilisation to national mobilisation.”
“The campaign can wait. Kenya cannot. The political season can wait. The safety of Kenyans cannot,” he said.