Kitui seeks Sh1.2bn to cushion residents against El Niño rains

The Kitui County Government, in collaboration with the National Government, is stepping up preparedness to protect residents from the potentially devastating effects of El Niño rains.

The county says it requires up to Sh1.2 billion to mitigate the anticipated impact of the rains, repair damaged infrastructure and strengthen emergency response measures.

The disclosure was made during a joint press conference attended by Governor Julius Malombe and County Commissioner Erastus Mbui at the former’s boardroom on Thursday.

The two levels of government outlined measures being put in place to safeguard lives, livelihoods and infrastructure in a joint press statement.

Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani said the cabinet had already approved Sh103 million for El Niño impact mitigation.

However, further consultations with the national government, the National Drought Management Authority and other partners indicated that the actual financial requirements could be significantly higher, he added.

“When we interrogated the matter deeply with partners such as the national government and NDMA, we realised that, considering the likely destruction, preparedness measures and the repair of damages, we would need up to Sh1.2 billion,” Kanani said.

He said this left a funding gap of approximately Sh1.1 billion, which the county would seek to bridge through support from the national government, development partners and other stakeholders.

Governor Malombe, who read a joint statement signed by himself and Mbui, assured residents that his administration remained committed to safeguarding their welfare through proactive planning, coordination and timely response.

He said effective preparedness would require close collaboration between the county and the national government, development partners, communities and individual households.

“While the anticipated rains present a valuable opportunity to improve water availability, agricultural productivity and livelihoods, they also pose serious risks to lives, infrastructure and essential services if not well managed,” Malombe said.

*Kitui governor Julius Malombe and the Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui and Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani during the Thursday press conference in his boardroom/Musembi Nzengu.*

The governor urged residents to take early precautionary measures and prepare adequately for the season, stressing that effective disaster preparedness required collective action at household, community and institutional levels.

He warned the expected rainfall during the OND 2026 season could be characterised by periods of downpours, potentially triggering mudslides, flash floods and the overflow of rivers, streams and other water channels.

Malombe said disasters could be prevented or their impact significantly reduced through early preparedness and informed action.

“The guiding principle for this season is to act early on credible weather information, protect lives and livelihoods, and ensure continuity of essential services across the county,” he said.

He, however, urged residents not to view the anticipated rains solely as a threat, noting that they could also provide an opportunity to improve food security, increase water availability and boost economic activities.

“We therefore encourage all residents, particularly farmers and households, to take advantage of the rains by investing in water harvesting and storage,” the governor said.

Malombe said the county government had already undertaken a series of measures to strengthen its preparedness and response capacity ahead of the OND 2026 rains.

These measures include activating disaster risk-management coordination structures and strengthening emergency response systems to facilitate a faster and more coordinated response in the event of emergencies.

The governor urged residents to remain alert, follow official weather advisories and take precautionary measures to protect their families, property, livestock and livelihoods as the rainy season approaches.

by MUSEMBI NZENGU