Advertisement
Kindiki: Govt is prepared for El Nino as vandalism and power outages pose a big threat
24th September, 2026 01:08 PM
The government has reassured Kenyans that measures are in place to handle anticipated El Niño heavy rains expected to start in mid-October.
Speaking in Karen, Nairobi County, on September 24, 2026, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki appealed to residents to remain calm while highlighting operational challenges and ongoing mitigation efforts across state agencies.
“We are prepared. There is still work ongoing,” Kindiki stated, noting that weather projections point to high rainfall starting between the second and third week of October.
“We want to ask the people of Kenya and the people of Nairobi not to panic. We will also be giving them regular communication so that nothing catches us by surprise,” he added.
Vandalism, power outages, and budget hurdles
In his speech, Kindiki gave prominence to critical threats facing public infrastructure, top among them rising cases of vandalism, theft, and sabotage targeting power and utility lines.
He disclosed that the executive will take the matter to top national security organs to protect public assets.
“This matter will be prepared for the National Security Council and other agencies and organs of state to make sure that we rein in this matter because we are losing a lot of public infrastructure to vandalism, theft and sabotage,” Kindiki warned.
Power disruptions caused by falling trees along transmission lines remain another major concern. To minimise blackouts during the downpours, Kenya Power is working with the State Department for Energy, local communities, and county governments to clear wayleaves.
The Deputy President further said that the state has unlocked budget constraints that previously threatened to delay emergency preparation and response work.
Flood hotspots and evacuation plans
In Nairobi, high precipitation is expected to strain roads and drainage systems. According to the Deputy President, teams from Nairobi County’s Green Army and the national Climate Works youth contingent are unblocking mapped choke points and dredging rivers daily to prevent flash floods.
Beyond Nairobi, Kindiki said that tailored plans are being drawn up addressing arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), including El Wak and the lower Tana River basin, where flooding risks present unique challenges.
If water levels threaten safety, authorities will issue early alerts and relocation directives. Temporary holding sites have been earmarked, complete with food, essential items, and medical supplies.
Kindiki assured that “any evacuation or relocation will be done humanely, will be communicated in good time, and will be done in a manner that gives dignity to the affected people”.
He urged citizens to cooperate with emergency officers, reiterating that moving residents to safety aims to protect lives and property.
