National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula asked Members of Parliament to stop instigating fear among Kenyans concerning the expected El Nino rains.
Addressing the politicians on Thursday, October 13, Wetangula stated that instead of fear, Kenyans could use the rains for good.
He explained that farmers could use the rain to realize an increase in food production in the country with good preparation.
“Stop selling fear among Kenyans on the effects of El Nino. Make them look at it positively and use the rains for food production,” stated Wetangula.
His statement came at a time when Kenyans continued to question whether the El Nino rains, predicted to begin in October, would eventually come.
Kenya Met on Expected Rains
On Tuesday, October 10, the Kenya Meteorological Department listed parts of the country that should expect rain ahead of the anticipated El Nino.
According to the weatherman, parts of Western Kenya, Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, Central Highlands, South-eastern lowlands, Coast, and North-eastern Kenya will experience rainfalls.
Further, the statement indicated that many of the places will receive rain at intervals. Some regions will experience rain at night while others will have morning or afternoon showers.
Also Read: Weatherman Lists Regions to Expect Rain this Week
“Some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the Coast, the South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern Kenya are likely to receive rainfall,” read the statement in part.
How Counties Are Preparing for El Nino
To ensure preparedness, counties across the country have been putting in place measures including asking locals who live in flood prone areas to move to safer ground.
Notably, there are some decisions made by county bosses that sparked discussions among Kenyans, including the move by Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki to ban lunch for employees.
Njuki stated that he would withdraw travel allowances and provision of tea and lunch for county employees to establish an El Nino kitty.
Also Read: Met Department Issues Tips to Survive El Nino Rains
“We have to revise our budget and see some of the things we can eliminate like traveling allowances, lunch allowances and some departments can do away with tea,” he stated.
At the same time, Nairobi County El Nino task force chairman Bramuel Simiyu announced plans to purchase motorboats, rafts and inflatable boats to help in the disaster management during the El Nino rains.
“It is part of what we are planning to procure in the next one week. Inflatable boats and at least some motorboats to be able to allow us to access flooded areas,” Simiyu stated.
