Janet Mbugua questions Kenya’s preparedness as El Niño looms
By Trizer Lijondo, September 16, 2026Kenyan media personality Janet Mbugua has questioned the country’s preparedness ahead of the forecast heavy rains, urging authorities and Kenyans to start planning for the possible effects of the weather.
In a post shared on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Mbugua referenced the latest warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department, noting that the department has placed the likelihood of a very strong El Niño at 81 per cent, with a 97 per cent chance of the weather event extending into early 2027.
She also noted that above-average rainfall is expected across much of the country from October.
Janet Mbugua asks what happens when the rains come
In her accompanying voice note, Mbugua said she often watches disaster movies where someone warns that “the end is here”, adding that she had previously viewed such characters as alarmists.
However, she said the current situation had made her think differently.
“I literally, that’s a alarmist person,” she said, before questioning whether the bigger concern should be the rain itself or what happens when it arrives.
“It’s not just about the rain. It’s what happens when the rain comes,” Mbugua said.
Mbugua said the warnings had also made her think about everyday situations, including whether children would be able to get to school and whether people would be able to access hospitals.
She specifically raised concerns about pregnant women travelling to hospitals, sick people and elderly people who may need assistance during emergencies.
Janet uses Bangladesh to highlight preparedness
Mbugua also cited Bangladesh as an example of how preparedness can influence the impact of disasters.
She recalled a cyclone that killed thousands of people and contrasted it with a later cyclone that resulted in fewer than 10 deaths, attributing the difference to preparations such as shelters and warning systems.
Her message was that Kenya should not wait until the rains arrive before taking action.
In her written post, Mbugua asked the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Met and the government to explain what Kenyans can begin doing now.
She urged people to assess their surroundings, consider what they may need to prepare for and think about how they can assist others.
At the same time, she called for authorities to put shelters in place and provide clear information on what the country should expect.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has similarly stressed that heavy rainfall does not automatically mean flooding, with the eventual impact also depending on factors including drainage, infrastructure, vulnerability and preparedness.