El Niño declared a national security concern as government urges Kenyans to heed safety measures - September 2026

The Kenyan government declared El Niño a national security concern and urged citizens to heed safety measures. The Kenya National Highways Authority assured motorists of safe travel conditions on national highways during the anticipated El Niño rains. The government allocated KSh 281.2 million towards 17 water projects in Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, and Kajiado counties to mitigate the effects of the anticipated El Niño rains. The Cabinet Secretary for Water issued a stern warning to contractors working on water dam projects in Tana River County, demanding completion before the onset of El Niño rains.