Vihiga steps up El Niño preparedness

The Vihiga County Government has stepped up disaster preparedness measures in anticipation of the forecasted El Niño rains, with high-risk areas prone to landslides and flooding already mapped.

Governor Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo said the county had identified areas likely to be affected by flooding and landslides to facilitate timely response and protect residents during the rainy season.

Ottichilo said the county had also ordered essential medicines to manage rain-related and waterborne diseases, including malaria, typhoid and cholera.

He added that a team had been dispatched to Nairobi to secure mosquito nets for pregnant women and infants as part of measures to prevent malaria infections.

The Governor further said the county was working with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to install warning signs at identified road blackspots to enhance motorists’ and pedestrians’ safety.

He cautioned residents against travelling at night during heavy rains, urging them to exercise caution and avoid crossing flooded roads and other areas considered hazardous.

The governor said the county would continue monitoring the situation and strengthen coordination among relevant agencies to ensure a timely response to emergencies arising from the rains.

By Victor Zedy and Rose Wasike