Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
In an update issued on Thursday, the agency said El Niño is expected to reach very strong intensity before peaking towards the end of 2026, with its climate impacts likely to continue well into 2027.
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 facilitie
The meteorological agency said Kenyans should not wait for extreme weather events before taking precautionary measures, stressing the importance of turning weather forecasts and early warnings into practical action
The preparations come days after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki directed counties to activate their disaster response systems ahead of the October-December rainy season.
Garissa, Mandera, Tana River and Wajir were among the hardest-hit counties during the 2023 El Niño floods. UNICEF reported that approximately 38 of Kenya’s 47 counties were affected by riverine floods, flash floods and landslides, with major roads cut off and communities in the arid and semi-arid lands facing severe disruption
The authorities said the identified counties had been prioritised in emergency response planning according to their exposure to different risks associated with El Niño
In a statement released on Tuesday, the party said warnings issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) point to what could become the country's most severe El Niño season in 150 years.
Mexico's navy secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales said there had been "no serious impact", but advised people to avoid the coastline while authorities continued to monitor the situation.
Speaking after chairing the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on El Nino Preparedness and Response in Nairobi on Thursday, Kindiki said all relevant government institutions had been mobilised following forecasts pointing to a high probability of above-normal rainfall between October and December.
As part of its mandate, the committee has been instructed to immediately operationalise a National El Niño Contingency Plan designed to help the country respond swiftly and effectively to any emergencies linked to the anticipated weather conditions.
In Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, Museveni highlighted that Uganda's vulnerability to earthquakes has been known for decades, but government institutions have been slow to implement measures aimed at reducing the risks posed by seismic activity
According to the forecast, central and western parts of Kenya are likely to receive rainfall levels higher than usual, with moderate amounts ranging between 50 and 200 millimetres expected in multiple counties.