The government says it has implemented measures to lessen the adverse effects of disasters and emergencies and allocated Sh40 million in the current financial year to this purpose.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen in his submissions to the Senate on Wednesday said that the government will mobilise additional resources to complement the allocation should the need arise.
The CS was responding to a question by Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla on the level of state preparedness in countering drought and floods, given the devastation witnessed in the country in 2024 and in the previous years following heavy rains.
Murkomen told the legislators that areas in the three counties of Kisumu, Busia and Tana River have been mapped out as likely to experience flooding due to above-normal rains.
"Three-month weather forecast issued by Kenya Meteorological Department for March, April and May 2025 indicates near to above-normal rains for the western part of the country and below normal for the rest of the country. There is therefore likelihood of floods in only three counties: Kisumu, Busia, and Tana River," he said.
Prolonged rains in 2024 resulted in flooding in most parts of the country and claimed 315 lives.
Some 58,641 households representing 293,205 individuals were also displaced and 412,263 persons were affected.
The flooding also caused damage to key infrastructure including roads, bridges, railway lines, schools and health facilities, while 298,673 acres of agricultural land and 9,367 livestock were washed away.
Resulting from the experience, Murkomen said the government is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, flood control measures, and disaster mitigation strategies to reduce vulnerability.
“This includes improving drainage systems in towns and cities, rehabilitation of roads, acquisition of food and non-food items in preparation for the season (and) mobilising emergency response efforts.”
The CS said the government is also creating awareness among stakeholders and the public on flood risks and safety measures as well as developing and regularly updating emergency response plans to ensure swift and effective actions in the event of flooding.
These include protocols for evacuation, communication and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Murkomen said the Interior Ministry is also fostering collaboration with stakeholders to develop coordinated responses to flooding incidents and promoting reforestation and soil conservation through initiatives such as tree planting.
