Health authorities in Kajiado North Sub-County have stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent outbreaks of waterborne and other diseases during the expected El Niño rains.

Sub-County Chief Health Officer and Rapid Response Team Member Timothy Mutiso said the department was on alert for diseases including cholera, diarrhea and malaria, which could increase during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.

Mutiso said areas such as Ongata Rongai and Mathare in Ngong were particularly vulnerable to cholera because of poor sanitation, limited access to clean water and their densely populated informal settlements.

“We are prepared and on the lookout for any outbreaks, especially cholera, diarrhoea and malaria,” he said.

He said the department was using Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to educate residents on disease prevention while working with other county departments to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding and contamination.

Mutiso urged residents to boil drinking water and observe proper sanitation, especially in areas where sewage and storm water could contaminate water sources.

He said Ngong Sub-County Hospital and Ongata Rongai Sub-County Hospital had identified facilities that could be used as isolation units in the event of a disease outbreak.

The health department is also conducting weekly disease surveillance to detect and respond to unusual cases early, with Mutiso saying the One Health approach, which brings together different departments, was being used to strengthen preparedness.

He called on the county government to ensure health facilities were adequately stocked with essential medicines and intensify public awareness ahead of the rains.

A resident of Embulbul, Sophia Osego, said residents in informal settlements were particularly concerned about the health risks posed by flooding.

“We live in rentals in the slum where sewage and garbage water flow right at the door,” she said, calling for increased public awareness on preventing waterborne diseases.

Osego said children, particularly those who had not yet joined school, were vulnerable during the rainy season and urged authorities to strengthen preventive health measures.

Meanwhile, Ngong Community Health Volunteer Mary Metkei said health workers were conducting water sampling, health education and monitoring drainage areas to identify possible sources of contamination.

She said health workers were also working with water pipeline owners to ensure drinking water was protected from contamination during flooding.

However, Metkei said the area faced a shortage of water-sampling containers, which she described as a challenge in efforts to regularly test water quality.

Kajiado County Director of Meteorological Services Benson Lubanga Ogada urged residents and stakeholders to take precautionary measures and prepare adequately for the expected rains.

“The public and other stakeholders should take precautions in terms of preparedness for the coming rains,” he said.

Early this month, the Ministry of Health rolled out an El Niño preparedness plan in 18 high-risk counties as Kenya braces for heavy rains and their potential impact on public health.

Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni said the Ministry was seeking support from health partners to strengthen preparedness and mitigate the effects of the expected rains.

Kenya Meteorological Department Issued El Nino Warning for October to December with a possibility of going on till February 2027.

by Angeline Otieno