Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged county governments to activate disaster preparedness measures ahead of the October-December rainy season, amid forecasts of a possible El Niño event.
Kindiki, who chairs the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), said regional climate assessments indicated an increasing likelihood of El Niño conditions during the remainder of 2026.
He warned that the expected weather pattern could bring above-normal rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides and disruption of critical infrastructure.
“We must therefore prepare for the possibility of above-normal rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides and disruption of critical infrastructure,” Kindiki said.
He spoke on Monday during the opening of the 30th Ordinary Session of IBEC at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Kindiki said the National Government had already started implementing early measures to mitigate the anticipated effects, including pre-positioning food and non-food relief supplies.
The government has also mapped areas considered vulnerable to flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, displacement and infrastructure damage.
According to Kindiki, 18 counties, as well as urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, have been identified as particularly vulnerable.
He called on county governments to complement the national response by putting their own emergency measures in place before the rains begin.
“I therefore urge all County Governments to urgently activate their disaster preparedness and response plans, clear and maintain drainage systems, identify and protect vulnerable communities, pre-position essential supplies, strengthen emergency response teams and coordinate closely with national agencies,” he said.
Kindiki stressed that preparedness was a shared responsibility between the two levels of government.
“We must act now, before the rains begin, to safeguard lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and essential services,” he said.
The Deputy President also used the IBEC meeting to highlight progress made in implementing resolutions reached during the council’s 29th ordinary session.
He said the National and County Governments had coordinated drought response interventions between July 2025 and April 2026, including the distribution of relief food and support to livestock communities in affected areas.
On healthcare, Kindiki said 46 counties had signed Intergovernmental Partnership Agreements under the National Equipment Service Programme, with medical equipment installed in 41 counties covering 88 health facilities.
He also noted that Parliament had approved an equitable share of Sh428 billion for counties for the 2026/27 financial year.
Kindiki said the National Treasury had disbursed all amounts due to counties as equitable share by the end of the financial year despite fiscal constraints.
However, he raised concern over pending bills, saying the accumulation of debts undermined service delivery, damaged the credibility of government and affected businesses dependent on government contracts.
The Deputy President said the government would continue strengthening cooperation between the national and county governments while improving the predictability and efficiency of public financing.
He said IBEC’s success should ultimately be measured by its impact on citizens rather than the resolutions reached during meetings.
“Our success is measured by what happens beyond this meeting room: whether health services are delivered on time; roads and water systems are functioning; farmers can access markets; businesses operate in a conducive business environment; young people find opportunities; and, most importantly, the lives of our citizens improve,” Kindiki said.
