An inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Deputy President is coordinating preparedness measures and advisories for county governments.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni assured Kenyans of a coordinated response to potential health risks from the expected El Niño conditions. She stated that an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Deputy President, is already active and working on preparedness measures. Advisories are being sent to county governments, focusing on health-related risks, infrastructure strengthening, emergency preparedness, and resource mobilization.
The advisories cover personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, water, and sanitation, aiming to minimize disease outbreaks associated with heavy rains. Muthoni urged counties to proactively address infrastructure issues like blocked drainage systems that could worsen the impact of rainfall. She noted that Kenya has existing systems and experience to manage such weather-related challenges, emphasizing that this is not the first occurrence.
Muthoni highlighted the critical role of close coordination between national and county governments for effective preparedness and response. The health sector's coordination with county governments was specifically cited as most important. The government also plans to engage development partners and other ministries to bolster preparedness and response capacity, ensuring a united front against potential outbreaks.
Why it mattersKenyans are affected by potential health risks and disease outbreaks linked to heavy rains, requiring coordinated government action on hygiene, sanitation, and infrastructure.
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