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We're ready for El Nino rains - Kenya Roads Board says

Met Department announced the country will receive long rains from October to December.

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by MANNY ANYANGO

News16 October 2023 - 12:56
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In Summary


  • The Board said the amount will be used to repair roads across the country that will be damaged after the end of El Nino. 
  • KRB Director General Wilson Kosgei said the road issues will be addressed as they occur as there are adequate resources. 
Flooded houses in Nyando, Kisumu county

The Kenya Roads Board has announced it has received money from the government to be used following the effects of El Nino. 

The Board said the amount will be used to repair roads across the country that will be damaged after the end of El Nino. 

KRB Director Rural and County roads Wilson Kosgei said the road issues will be addressed as they occur as there are adequate resources. 

"If there will be a road that will be cut off or one that is impassable, we expect the issues to be solved immediately," he said. 

"We have not given them the full amount but stakeholders have some resources to repair whatever condition that will come up from expected rains."

He did not however specify the amount received.

Kosgei spoke during a workshop with the county head, ahead of long rains. 

The Meteorological Department had announced that the country will receive El Nino from October to December 2023, urging the public to prepare adequately. 

Several counties have put in place measures that they will undertake during the period of El Nino, including buying boats and coming up with environmental teams. 

In Nairobi, the Chair of Nairobi county El Niño taskforce Bramwel Simiyu said the county government plans to spend over one billion to mitigate the effect of El Nino. 

He noted that 5,000 structures erected on riparian land will be affected by flooding, adding that that the county has identified alternative shelters for those living on riparian lands. 

“There is looming danger, we have sent out our surveyors who are mapping the high points. Nairobi County has 500 flooding hotspots,” he said. 

In the latest forecast by the department, several parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, North-western and North-eastern Kenya are likely to receive rainfall.

Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia and West Pokot will record rains over few places during the forecast period during the mornings.

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