Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro. [File Courtesy]
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has urged residents in flood-prone areas to vacate to higher ground ahead of the start of El Niño rains expected to intensify in September through to early 2027.
Mung’aro said that Kilifi is among 16 counties that the weatherman has listed as a risk area that will require preparedness ahead of the rains.
“There will be a lot of rain in October, and the El Niño rains will be heavy, and so I urge those residing near the River Galana to move to higher ground to minimise risks,” he said.
He added that the disaster emergency department had put in place measures to mitigate the effects, such as rescue boats, food and non-food items, medicines and other related equipment and services.
“We have enough food that will be distributed to migrating families and also boats for rescue missions in case of emergencies,” he added.
The national and Kilifi County governments, working with disaster management agencies, have lined up measures to mitigate possible flooding, especially along the River Sabaki.
Communities residing along the River Sabaki have for the longest time been victims of flash floods that have displaced thousands and claimed many lives as well as destroyed homes and farmland.