Nandi County has stepped up preparedness for the expected El Niño rains, with residents living along river basins and in landslide-prone areas urged to move to safer grounds.

The county government, in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-Tunza Project, has developed targeted advisories aimed at helping communities prepare for possible flooding, landslides and other weather-related emergencies during the season.

Speaking during a Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) workshop in Kapsabet, GCF-Tunza representative Job Sitienei said the consultative meeting was critical in ensuring that timely advisories reached communities before the enhanced rains.

Sitienei said the advisories would serve a dual purpose—guiding people living in high-risk areas to relocate to safer grounds while also advising farmers on crops that could perform well during the season.

“The advisories are twofold. They are meant to help communities in risk areas move to safer grounds and also advise farmers on the kind of crops to plant during the season to maximise the rains,” Sitienei said.

He said early action was critical in preventing loss of lives and reducing the impact of weather-related disasters on communities.

Kilibwoni Assistant County Commissioner Daniel Mutuku said measures had been put in place to ensure residents living in flood-prone areas were moved to safer locations.

Mutuku said the weather advisory had been cascaded to villages to ensure residents were sensitised on the expected conditions and the precautions they needed to take.

He said the campaign had also been extended to schools to ensure learners could travel to and from school safely without exposing themselves to danger.

“Our people have to know that they need to be alive first. That is why we are saying that no child should be seen crossing a flooded river during this season,” he said.

Mutuku said farmers were also being encouraged to plant short-term crops such as vegetables, potatoes and beans to take advantage of the rains and strengthen food security.

Nandi County Director of Environment Dr James Melly said the county had mapped areas of concern and was working with partners to disseminate advisories issued by the Meteorological Department.

Melly said residents living along river basins had been advised to relocate to safer grounds because rivers were expected to swell during periods of enhanced rainfall.

He said communities in Tindiret Sub-County, where some areas are rocky and vulnerable to landslides, had also been advised to move away from areas considered unsafe.

“During this season we expect rivers to reclaim their territory. That is why we are asking our people to move to safe grounds,” Melly said.

The county administration, he said, was also working on measures to ensure that early warnings reach communities at the grassroots level.

The success of the preparedness campaign, he said, would depend on residents acting on the advisories.

Nandi County Director of Disaster Management Lorraine Jerono said the department was undertaking scenario planning to ensure that different parts of the county received messages tailored to the risks facing them.

“We have developed messages targeting specific groups, clearly explaining what is expected,” Jerono said.

The approach, she said, is intended to move away from general weather warnings and provide communities with information on the specific actions they should take depending on their location and vulnerability.

Kenya Meteorological Department officer in charge of Nandi County Chris Mutai urged stakeholders and members of the public to take the weather advisories seriously and implement mitigation measures early to prevent loss of lives.

Mutai said the department would continue issuing weekly and monthly weather forecasts to guide preparedness and mitigation efforts.

The PSP workshop brought together officials from disaster management, meteorology, agriculture and environment departments, traders and other stakeholders to interpret the El Nino 2026 seasonal forecast, identify vulnerable areas and agree on actions to be taken before and during the rainy season.

Several areas considered vulnerable to weather-related disasters were identified, while evacuation centres were also mapped to facilitate rapid response in case of emergencies.

The county collaboration is intended to ensure that scientific weather information was translated into practical advice that communities could understand and act upon.

  By Kosuri Valarie