The County Government of Nakuru has intensified preparations to host the upcoming 12th edition of the Disaster Risk Reduction Symposium, aimed at mitigating disasters.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Symposium (DRRS 2026), that will be held from October 10 to October 13 seeks to create awareness on early warnings and disaster preparedness in the Rift Valley Region.

County Executive for Public Service Management Ambrose Ngare, who has since been reassigned to the Youth, Sports, Gender Inclusivity and Social Services docket, while confirming that final arrangements are in high gear, ahead of the symposium, said the devolved unit is working round the clock to ensure the event delivers meaningful outcomes for both National and County Governments.

“Plans are in top gear for Nakuru to host the symposium, as we continue with preparatory engagements to firm up key deliverables,” Ngare said.

The County Executive said the County Government was working closely with the Directorate of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance to ensure that departments with a role in emergency response actively participate in the preparations and the symposium.

He added that involving members of the public would help strengthen awareness on disaster risks and equip communities with knowledge on prevention, early warning, evacuation and appropriate response during emergencies.

 Ngare pointed out that the symposium whose theme is ‘Resilience Starts at Home’ is vital in enhancing the capacity of Kenyans to respond early in the event of disaster.

The three-day symposium will bring together government departments, disaster management agencies, development partners, emergency responders, private-sector actors, community organizations and other stakeholders to showcase preparedness initiatives, share experiences and strengthen collaboration in preventing and responding to disasters.

The event will culminate in the main celebrations at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru on October 13, coinciding with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), which provides an opportunity to raise public awareness on disaster risks and promote measures that reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience.

“Disaster management requires a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach. By bringing together all departments and stakeholders involved in emergency response, we can strengthen coordination, improve preparedness and ensure that our interventions are timely and effective when disasters occur,” Ngare stressed.

Speaking at a consultative forum to review preparations for the event, Ngare said the symposium would provide an important platform for stakeholders to exchange experiences, identify gaps in disaster preparedness and develop practical approaches for strengthening prevention, mitigation, response and recovery.

The preparations and technical framework for the symposium are backed by key national and international disaster risk management partners, notably the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The NDMA is a specialised state corporation established under the National Drought Management Authority Act (2016) with the mandate to exercise overall coordination over matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms to minimise drought impacts on livelihoods.

The Authority leads early warning reporting, coordinates county-level drought resilience interventions and manages the National Drought Emergency Fund (NDEF) to ensure timely financial disbursement for anticipatory action.

Ngare observed that the county has experienced a fair share of natural disasters such as floods, sinkhole openings, fires, dam bursts among others and that it was important to enlighten the residents on early warning systems to avert destruction.

“It’s important to enlighten residents of Nakuru and Kenyans at large on early warning and early action to beat various risks like fire, accidents and floods,” he said.

The national event is expected to bolster coordination, early warning systems and emergency preparedness ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) commemorated globally on October 13.

He noted that hosting the national forum underlines the county’s shift from reactive emergency management to proactive risk prevention.

“Hosting this national event demonstrates Nakuru’s commitment to proactive disaster risk management,” said the CECM.

He further said that the leadership of Governor Susan Kihika was committed to a change of approach from responding to disasters after they occur and instead investing more in prevention, preparedness, early warning and community resilience.

Ngare highlighted that the county continues to execute structural, policy and community-led measures to mitigate regional hazards, including flood management, risk mapping and spatial planning along unstable Rift Valley fault lines and geological fissures.

He emphasised that managing disaster risks requires integrated action across national and county structures, adding, “Disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility that requires all stakeholders to work together before, during and after disasters.”

He stated that the symposium will provide a platform to review preparedness, share field experiences, and strengthen response mechanisms so that when hazards occur, the country is better equipped to protect lives, livelihoods, and property.

Chief Officer for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Nakuru, Joyce Ncece, noted that the symposium provides a critical platform to evaluate ongoing weather-related emergency plans and address operational gaps.

She noted that this forum brings diverse actors to one table to examine emerging risks and strengthen joint response capacities, particularly as the devolved unit enhances early-warning outreach and community awareness ahead of heightened rainfall seasons.

Ncece added that the event will streamline technical coordination, GIS-based risk mapping and real-time information sharing between county emergency response teams and national authorities.

The UNDP serves as the principal United Nations agency leading international development, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction efforts.

Working in partnership with national governments and local authorities, UNDP supports the formulation of policy frameworks, institutional capacity building, GIS-driven hazard mapping, and community-based disaster risk reduction strategies to ensure sustainable, risk-informed development.

The symposium will culminate in the national observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, held under the 2026 global theme, “Resilience Starts at Home”.

The theme emphasizes risk-informed housing, household-level preparedness, and actionable early-warning alerts for vulnerable communities.

The symposium is expected to strengthen the link between national disaster risk reduction policies and community-level action, ensuring that disaster preparedness remains a shared responsibility involving government institutions, communities, development partners, humanitarian agencies and other stakeholders.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on October 13.

 The day was established following a 1989 call by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction. It highlights efforts by communities and institutions to reduce exposure to disasters and strengthen resilience.

The Government launched the National Disaster Risk Management Strategy 2025–2030 in June 2025 as a framework for strengthening disaster risk governance and reducing the impact of disasters.

by Jane Ngugi and Caroline Nyakio