Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has disclosed that the government has activated its disaster preparedness mechanism following predictions by Kenyan and international meteorological experts of a high likelihood of El Nino rains during the October to December short rains season.

Kindiki said the anticipated El Nino conditions pose a potential threat to food security, public health, infrastructure and transport and supply chain networks, prompting the government to move early in putting mitigation measures in place.

He said the preparedness response has been activated in line with the National Disaster Management Act, which was assented into law last month, with all relevant government agencies directed to coordinate their efforts and ensure readiness ahead of the expected weather event.

“The Government is seized of the matter of a possible El Nino and has activated the preparedness mechanism as anticipated under the National Disaster Management Act,” Kindiki said.

He added that the agencies had been tasked with ensuring a coordinated approach to cushion the country against any adverse effects, including safeguarding the current stable food security situation.

The Deputy President said he met with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, where he received updates on the national food security outlook as well as the specific preparedness measures being put in place in the event El Nino rains materialise later in the year.

Separately, Kindiki said the meeting also received a briefing on Kenya’s preparedness to guard against the Ebola outbreak currently being contained in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with updates reviewed for further refinement to keep the country safe.