Nakuru Steps Up Disaster Preparedness As Kihika Calls For Stronger Early-Warning Systems

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has called for stronger early-warning systems that link reliable weather forecasts with timely public communication and coordinated emergency action, saying warnings must reach communities before disasters strike.

Disaster preparedness, she said, must go beyond predicting hazards to ensuring residents understand the risks, know where to seek help and receive clear instructions on when and how to move to safety.

Speaking at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru City during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kihika emphasized that early warnings could save lives only when communicated effectively and followed by decisive action.

She urged government agencies and emergency response organizations to strengthen information sharing, improve public advisories and ensure communities in vulnerable areas access reliable information before floods, landslides, fires and other emergencies occur.

“Early warning is among our most effective tools,” Kihika said, emphasizing the need to connect weather forecasts with timely communication and practical emergency response measures.

Past disasters in Nakuru, she noted, underscored the importance of making warnings accessible, understandable and actionable. The 2018 Solai dam disaster and the April 2024 Mai Mahiu floods and landslides remain reminders of the human and economic costs of inadequate preparedness.

Effective early-warning systems, the county chief added, must ensure information reaches communities in time, provides clear instructions and connects reliable forecasts to decisive emergency action.

Particular attention should be given to persons with disabilities, older people, children and households in remote or underserved areas to ensure no one is excluded from life-saving information.

Residents should also receive clear guidance on where to seek assistance, which evacuation routes to follow and where safe shelters are located when emergencies threaten.

At the household level, Kihika urged families to develop emergency plans, identify evacuation routes, secure essential documents and keep emergency contacts accessible. Residents should also follow verified advisories from relevant authorities and prepare basic emergency supplies.

“Neighbors must look out for one another, especially vulnerable residents who may need assistance evacuating,” she said, calling for greater community participation in disaster preparedness.

Schools, markets, businesses and public institutions were also urged to review their emergency plans, maintain functional safety equipment and conduct regular evacuation drills.

The call comes as national and county authorities prepare for anticipated El Niño conditions during the October-to-December 2026 period. Nakuru has activated a multi-agency team to coordinate preparedness measures ahead of the forecast rains.

As part of the response, the county government is committed to strengthening weather monitoring, issuing timely public advisories, maintaining drainage systems, identifying flood-prone areas and coordinating with emergency response agencies, Kihika said.

Residents were cautioned against crossing flooded rivers and roads and advised to move to safer locations whenever authorities recommend evacuation. Protecting water sources, sanitation facilities and food supplies from contamination during floods was also emphasized.

Farmers were encouraged to seek reliable agricultural advice, protect livestock and take appropriate measures to minimize crop losses. Households were further urged to keep drainage channels clear, dispose of waste responsibly and use safe drinking water to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.

According to the county’s disaster management framework, early-warning systems, hazard mapping, community training and coordination with national agencies are among the priorities guiding disaster preparedness.

Kihika said disaster risk reduction must be integrated into county development plans, infrastructure projects, budgets and routine public services rather than treated solely as an emergency response function.

Stronger collaboration between the county government, the National Government, the Kenya Red Cross Society, humanitarian organizations, development partners and community groups was also identified as essential to improving information sharing and emergency response.

On land use and infrastructure development, the governor called for stricter enforcement of regulations, protection of riparian reserves and wetlands, maintenance of drainage corridors and measures to prevent settlements and construction from exposing families to avoidable hazards.

“Affordable housing must never come at the expense of sound construction and public safety,” she said, stressing the need for buildings and infrastructure capable of withstanding foreseeable hazards.

Effective disaster preparedness, Kihika added, requires regular risk assessments, trained personnel, functional equipment, adequate resources and clearly defined institutional responsibilities.

Progress should be measured through practical outcomes, including lives protected, families kept safe and communities able to recover from emergencies, she said.

The celebrations followed the 12th National Symposium for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Nakuru from October 10 to 12, which provided an opportunity to identify priorities for translating policy commitments into action.

Among the key priorities identified were risk-informed settlement planning, stronger early-warning systems, inclusive preparedness, institutional coordination, predictable financing and accountability.

“We cannot continue spending heavily on repairing damage while underinvesting in prevention,” Kihika said, urging government agencies, development partners, the private sector and communities to invest in measures that reduce disaster risks before emergencies occur.

The county government reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and build safer communities, with Kihika noting that resilience depended on responsible leadership, informed households and collective action.