Gov’t sets up command centre as El Nino death toll rises to 120

The government now says 120 people have lost their lives countrywide as the floods occasioned by the El Nino rains continue to wreak havoc.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration made the announcement on Tuesday, noting that over 14 counties had been affected.

“Currently, four counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have been identified as the worst hit while 120 people have unfortunately lost their lives,” stated Internal Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo during a press address.

“Ten counties including Isiolo, Samburu, Kwale, Homabay, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Meru and Kisumu are on high alert.”

To counter the tragedy, PS Omollo said the government had launched a Command Centre for Flood Emergency Response and Communication at Nyayo House in Nairobi to document cases to ensure the public is sensitized.

He said the centre would complement multi-agency teams to alert the public and help in mitigating the floods.  

“A Command Centre for Flood Emergency Response and communication has been set up at the National Disaster Operations Centre in Nyayo House to document and report all flood disaster information from across the country following the establishment of a Multi-Agency team due to the ongoing heavy rains,” PS Omollo said.

“The team comprising of 11 ministries and their relevant agencies, adopting a Whole of Government Approach, will provide early warning information, flood alerts, flood preparedness, safety and emergency response information to stakeholders and the public.”

The PS added: “Saving lives and reducing the impact of the El Nino rains through early warning and disaster monitoring remains the Government’s top priority and having every actor and stakeholder working in sync is the surest way of mitigating and responding to the emergency.” 

The 11 ministries include Defence, Interior, Roads and Transport, Health, Education, Water and Sanitation, Lands, Agriculture, Energy, EAC and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

According to PS Omollo, the Council of Governors, as well as the Red Cross Society have similarly been sanctioned to augment response and interventions being implemented.

So far, the PS noted, over 89,000 households have been displaced and are being hosted in 112 camps established in the affected counties. 

He thus urged people residing downstream to move to higher grounds to avert more destruction.

“All major dams are being monitored but Kiambere has a meter remaining to overflow, we call on those downstream to move to higher ground even as the government enhances power generation to mitigate the challenge,” he added. 

Even as Kenyans are being advised Kenyans against crossing flooded rivers and avoiding areas prone to flooding, the PS said the Kenya Defense Forces, National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Coast Guard Service and the National Youth Service had been co-opted to assist citizens in troubled regions.