By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 17 September 2026 - The Government on Thursday announced that it has intensified preparations for the October-November-December (OND) 2026 rainy season, warning that heavy downpours could bring flooding, landslides and disruption across parts of the country.
Government Spokesperson Charles Owino Wahong’o said in a press release sent to newsrooms that the State was taking a proactive stance to protect lives and livelihoods.
“We are urging Kenyans to remain vigilant and take early precautions to protect lives, property and livelihoods,” he stated.
The Kenya Meteorological Department will keep a close watch on developing weather patterns and issue regular forecasts and advisories to support both national and county-level response.
concern is particularly high that intense rainfall in certain parts of the country could trigger flooding, landslides, transport delays, damage to infrastructure and the displacement of vulnerable households.
Ministries, Statr Departments and agencies are working hand-in-hand with county governments, humanitarian organisations and development partners to reinforce multi-agency preparedness and response systems.
Owino also stated that risk assessments are under way to pinpoint flood-prone zones and that emergency measures are being put in place.
He urged Kenyans to pay close attention to early-warning messages conveyed to communities in push to ensure they receive timely information.
“The Government is particularly alert to the possibility of heavy rainfall in some areas, which may lead to flooding, landslides, disruption of transport and essential services, damage to infrastructure and displacement of vulnerable households,” Owino said.
Residents living in flood-prone locations, along riverbanks or on riparian reserves have been strongly advised to relocate voluntarily to safer ground before the rains intensify.
The public has also been given a seven-point safety guidance. First, they have been told to avoid crossing flooded rivers, roads or bridges.
Second, they should never walk or drive through moving floodwater. Third, they must stay clear of riverbanks and drainage channels.
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Next, parents, guardians and teachers have been told to keep children away from flooded areas.
Fifth precautionary advice is that individuals must secure important documents, property and livestock where possible and always follow evacuation instructions issued by authorised Government agencies.
This being a matter of life and death where individuals need to act swiftly, Kenyans have further been encouraged to stay tuned to official weather forecasts and emergency updates.
Lastly, Kenyans are urged to report any emergencies promptly to the relevant authorities.
The Government Spokesperson stressed that preparedness must be a collective effort.
“The Government calls on all Kenyans to make preparedness a shared responsibility,” he said.
Communities are being urged to work closely with local administrators, county governments and disaster response teams, especially in identifying vulnerable people and supporting early evacuation where needed.
The public has also been reminded to rely only on information released through official government channels and to refrain from circulating unverified reports. Authorities have pledged to continue monitoring the OND rainfall situation and to issue regular updates as conditions change.
“Early warning must translate into early action,” Owino concluded.
The government says it will keep the situation under constant review and provide further guidance as the season unfolds, emphasising that timely community response remains essential to reducing the impact of any severe weather.