Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir has warned residents to brace for what he described as an unusually severe El Niño weather phenomenon, saying the county is stepping up preparations to protect lives and property.
Speaking after a meeting with the Kenya Meteorological Department, Nassir said the county had been informed of a 98 per cent possibility of El Niño conditions, expected to begin towards the end of this month and continue for about three months.
The Governor said the anticipated weather pattern could be significantly more intense than previous events, with unusually high temperatures and heavy rainfall posing risks to communities, particularly those living near shorelines and other flood-prone areas.
“This one is different. We are anticipating that the heat level will be high. We must accept that we must take measures,” Nassir said.
He urged residents living along the coastline and near waterways to begin taking precautions, warning them not to wait until the situation deteriorates before acting.
Nassir also appealed to residents to take responsibility for protecting the environment, particularly by keeping drainage channels and waterways clear to reduce the risk of flooding.
The county government, he said, is working closely with security and emergency-response agencies, including the Kenya Navy, while other institutions are also being brought on board to strengthen preparedness.
As part of the response plan, Nassir said county social halls will be converted into rescue and temporary accommodation centres should the situation require the evacuation of residents.
The county’s health department is also preparing for a possible increase in waterborne diseases, with measures being put in place to respond to health risks associated with flooding and contaminated water.
“We will be notifying residents on a regular basis on what needs to be done,” the Governor said, stressing that the county’s main priority is to safeguard lives and property.
Nassir called for a coordinated response between the county government, national government agencies, security teams and residents, saying disaster preparedness cannot be left to authorities alone.
“Our priority is that we save lives and properties,” he said.
The Governor’s warning comes as authorities across the country intensify preparations for potentially disruptive weather conditions, with coastal communities expected to remain particularly vulnerable to flooding and other impacts.
