The Ministry of Health has stepped up preparations ahead of the expected heavy rains and flooding during the 2026/2027 El Niño season.
The ministry has activated a multi-sector preparedness plan aimed at reducing deaths and illnesses that could result from flooding, displacement and disruption of basic services.
The Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan will guide national and county governments, emergency agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners in preparing for and responding to health emergencies linked to the rains.
The ministry is particularly concerned about water- and food-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis A and other diarrhoeal illnesses.
Such diseases can spread when floodwater contaminates drinking water sources and sanitation systems.
The Ministry of Health is working with county governments and organisations including the Kenya Red Cross Society, National Disaster Operations Centre, National Disaster Management Unit, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
Other partners include the World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, IOM, UNHCR, UNOCHA, St John Ambulance, Malteser International and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
This has been done through the National Health Sector El Niño Task Force and emergency response mechanisms in disease surveillance, emergency medical services, referral, evacuation, and community sensitization of affected persons due to flooding.
What the Ministry is doing
County health teams are being supported to improve disease surveillance and respond quickly to alerts. Rapid-response teams will also be deployed where necessary, while emergency warning systems and daily reports will help health officials monitor the situation.
The ministry is also preparing laboratories by increasing supplies of reagents and rapid diagnostic tests for diseases including cholera and typhoid. Mobile laboratory services will be used in areas where they are needed.
Medicines, laboratory supplies, infection prevention supplies, nutrition commodities, and emergency packs are being stockpiled and placed at regional, county, and health facility levels.
In the flood-affected areas, preparations are to be made for the monitoring of water quality, provision of supplies for household treatment of water, and disinfection of contaminated water sources. Water-treatment mobile units, toilets, and hand washing facilities will also be utilized where needed.
The counties have also been urged to review their emergency plans which include preparation of referral services, ambulances, evacuation plans, and temporary medical facilities among others.
Pregnant women, children, elderly, and other vulnerable groups will also receive particular focus.
The Community Health Promoters will also have their role in alerting the people, educating about safe water and food handling, danger signs, and facilitating access to health care services.
Ministry issues advice to Kenyans
The Ministry of Health has encouraged residents in areas that are likely to face floods to be careful as the rains become heavier.
Boiling or treating drinking water and storing it in clean covered containers has been recommended.
It has also been advised that the residents should use soap and safe water to wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before handling food and before eating and feeding their children.
Further, the Ministry of Health has advised Kenyans to cook food well, eat when it is still hot and wash fruits and vegetables using safe water. They should also not consume food that has come into contact with flood water.
If one is suffering from constant fever, intense headache, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool, strange weakness or any signs of dehydration, he or she should consult a doctor immediately.
The Ministry of Health has warned Kenyans not to self-medicate with antibiotics.
The residents have also been advised to observe instructions from authorities, not walk or drive through flood water and get their information from the Ministry of Health, county governments and other approved emergency departments.
The ministry has promised to continue monitoring weather and disease information and will continue updating its response mechanisms.
