By Alloys Musyoka
KWALE, KENYA — Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has convened a high-level strategic meeting with the County Disaster Management Committee to reinforce emergency preparedness ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains set to begin in October.
The emergency meeting comes after the national government officially classified Kwale among 18 high-risk counties heavily vulnerable to the 2026 El Niño weather pattern.
According to disaster response assessments, the areas projected to experience the most severe impact include: Lungalunga Sub-county: Kiwegu, Perani, Jasini, and Majoreni Msambweni Sub-county: Diani and Ukunda Matuga and Kinango Sub-counties: Select high-risk pockets.
The Disaster Management Committee, led by Kwale County Commissioner David Rotich, briefed the Governor on multi-agency deployments already finalized to minimize disruptions.
“The committee has mapped out the primary risks associated with these heavy rains, which include severe flooding, structural damage to vital infrastructure like roads and bridges, and potential waterborne disease outbreaks,” Commissioner Rotich stated.
Governor Achani commended the inter-agency committee for its rapid response and proactive planning.
However, she issued an urgent directive to locals residing in low-lying and riparian zones, imploring them to relocate to safer, higher ground before the downpours begin next month.
“To guarantee that no lives are lost to this environmental hazard, we have designated and equipped local social halls, churches, and mosques to serve as emergency rescue centers, with a strict focus on highly flood-prone zones like Vanga, Diani-Ukunda, and Shimoni,” Governor Achani announced.
Supporting the government’s efforts, the Kenya Red Cross Society’s Kwale County Coordinator, Mohamed Henzi, affirmed that the organization is working in lockstep with both county and national administrations. Red Cross teams are already rolling out community sensitization programs across vulnerable neighborhoods to build local resilience.
The strategic briefing was attended by key administrative and humanitarian stakeholders, including County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Coordinator Abdallah Halake, Kingford Njeru (Plan International), Godwin Onganga (Kenya Red Cross), Amina Mnyeto and Rahma Gulam (MWARD), and Policy and Political Advisor Mshenga Ruga.
