By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 15 June 2026 - Principal Secretary for Special Programmes Ismail Maalim Madey on Monday visited Samicha in Garsen Constituency, Tana River County, to assess the situation of families affected by flooding and coordinate relief interventions as authorities prepare for the anticipated El Niño rains.
The PS was accompanied by Garsen MP Ali Wario Hashaka during the visit, which focused on evaluating the humanitarian situation on the ground, distributing relief assistance, and encouraging communities to strengthen preparedness measures to reduce the impact of future floods.
Madey said the government remains committed to supporting affected households while working with local leaders and humanitarian agencies to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in flood-prone areas.
The visit comes as Tana River County continues to experience recurrent flooding linked to heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas and periodic overflows of the Tana River, often resulting in displacement, destruction of homes, loss of livestock, and damage to farmlands and infrastructure.
According to assessments by the Kenya Red Cross Society and county authorities during recent flood emergencies, thousands of residents across Tana River have been affected by flooding, with many families displaced from their homes and forced to seek shelter in schools, camps, and higher ground. The humanitarian impacts have included disruptions to education, limited access to healthcare services, contamination of water sources, and increased food insecurity among affected communities.
Areas along the lower Tana River basin, including parts of Garsen, Bura, and Galole constituencies, remain among the most vulnerable to seasonal flooding due to their proximity to river channels and low-lying terrain.
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During the visit, Madey urged residents to heed advisories issued by government agencies and disaster management teams, emphasizing the importance of early preparedness, community awareness, and risk reduction measures ahead of the forecast El Niño season.
He noted that coordinated action between national and county governments, humanitarian organizations, and local communities would be critical in minimizing the impact of potential flooding and safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
The government, through the State Department for Special Programmes and other agencies, is continuing to monitor weather forecasts and strengthen emergency response mechanisms in vulnerable counties as part of broader efforts to enhance disaster preparedness nationwide.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has previously warned that parts of the country could experience above-normal rainfall associated with El Niño conditions, raising concerns about possible flooding in flood-prone regions such as Tana River County.