[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [INTERNATIONAL]

17 clusters · 24 sources · 60 days · First seen · Last updated

Kenya and East Africa El Niño flood preparedness

Overview

Kenya and Tanzania are intensifying preparations for El Niño-related flooding, with the World Meteorological Organization forecasting the phenomenon will persist through February 2027. In Kenya, authorities warn that approximately 1.5 million people across all 47 counties could be affected.

In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja has waived application and approval requirements for minor building repairs, such as installing gutters, to assist residents in preparing for the rains. To mitigate flooding, the Nairobi County administration is deploying machinery to widen and deepen drainage channels and desilt waterways. Sakaja emphasized a ‘One County, One Plan, One Command’ approach, while warning that illegal dumping in drainage corridors will face strict penalties.

Recent forecasts from the Kenya Meteorological Department indicate rainfall across 32 counties between late September and October 5, 2026. The advisory predicts varying conditions, including thunderstorms and morning or afternoon showers. In the central region, including Nairobi, Kiambu, and Nyeri, rainy spells are expected to increase. Nairobi may see temperatures drop to 24°C by October 5, while Nyandarua could experience nighttime lows of 5°C. Coastal counties like Mombasa and Kilifi are expected to remain sunny until light showers arrive after October 2, while Western Kenya and the Lake Victoria Basin are forecasted to have sunny mornings followed by light afternoon showers.

In Tanzania, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) forecasts above-normal to normal rainfall for much of the northern and eastern regions. To mitigate potential disruptions, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has revised the 2026 national assessment and examination schedule. Additionally, the Ministry of Minerals has issued urgent directives to the mining sector to improve safety protocols and inspect mining pits and tailings dams ahead of heavy rains.

Entities

Tanzania Meteorological Authority · Kenya · Kenya Meteorological Department · Tanzania · Johnson Sakaja

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall for 32 counties

    The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall, thunderstorms, and temperature drops across 32 counties, including Nairobi, the Coast, and Central Kenya, through early October 2026.

  2. 4 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Tanzania Ministry of Minerals orders safety preparations for El Niño rains

    Tanzania's Ministry of Minerals has ordered mine owners to enhance safety measures and infrastructure to prepare for heavy El Niño rains expected later this year.

  3. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Tanzania adjusts 2026 national exam schedule due to El Nino

    Tanzania has rescheduled its 2026 national examinations to avoid potential transport and flooding disruptions caused by expected El Nino rainfall.

  4. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Nairobi waives building repair approvals ahead of El Niño rains

    Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has waived approval requirements for minor building repairs to assist residents in preparing for expected El Niño rains and potential flooding.

  5. 10 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Pwani farmers advised to prepare for El Niño-influenced rainy season

    Tanzania's TMA has advised Pwani farmers to prepare for the Vuli rainy season, warning of potential El Niño-influenced flooding and recommending moisture-resilient crops and improved drainage.

  6. 15 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Kenya increases preparedness for upcoming rainy season

    Kenya is ramping up emergency preparedness for the upcoming rainy season as meteorological officials warn of potential floods and landslides across multiple counties.

  7. 16 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Tanzania issues warnings ahead of expected El Nino rains

    Tanzanian religious and political leaders are urging public preparedness for expected El Nino rains, focusing on flood prevention, drainage maintenance, and food security as heavy rainfall is forecasted.

  8. 18 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Kenya Meteorological Authority forecasts rainfall across multiple counties

    The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority forecasts rainfall across numerous counties from September 15 to 21, driven by El Niño, alongside significant temperature variations nationwide.

  9. 19 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Tanzania prepares for El Niño rains and potential flooding

    Tanzania is bracing for El Niño rains starting in late September or October. Authorities are inspecting infrastructure and building drainage systems to mitigate risks of flash floods and landslides.

  10. 20 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Kenya surveyors urge property owners to prepare for El Niño rains

    The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya has urged property owners to conduct urgent inspections and drainage maintenance to prepare for heavy El Niño rains and prevent structural damage or flooding.

  11. 21 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    East Africa prepares for El Niño flooding and heavy rains

    East African countries, including Kenya and Tanzania, are issuing urgent flood and landslide warnings as the El Niño phenomenon threatens millions of people with heavy rainfall through early 2027.

  12. 26 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Tanzania Prime Minister urges El Niño flood preparedness

    Tanzanian Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has urged citizens to prepare for El Niño-related flooding and ordered the rapid commencement of road construction projects in the Singida region.

  13. 30 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Kenya and Tanzania activate emergency plans for El Niño rains

    Kenya and Tanzania have activated emergency response plans to prepare for heavy El Niño-driven rainfall and potential flooding expected in the coming months.

  14. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Nairobi Governor issues flood preparedness appeal ahead of El Niño

    Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has urged residents to prepare for expected October El Niño rains, noting that multi-agency teams are currently clearing drainage systems to mitigate flooding risks.

  15. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Kenya Meteorological Authority warns of heavy El Niño rains

    Kenya's Meteorological Service Authority warns of above-average rainfall and potential flooding across all 47 counties due to an intensifying 2026 El Niño event.

  16. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Kenya prepares for strong El Niño and high-risk flooding

    Kenya is preparing for a strong El Niño event, with authorities flagging 18 high-risk counties for potential flooding, landslides, and disease outbreaks starting in October.

  17. 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    Caritas Kenya ramps up flood preparedness amid El Niño threats

    Caritas Kenya, led by Samuel Omondi, is boosting flood preparedness for 2026 El Niño, securing ICT funding from Catholic Relief Services and aid from Trócaire amid Kenya’s recent droughts, floods and donor cuts

Sources

arushadigital.com · businesstoday.co.ke · constructionkenyashowcase.com · dailynews.co.tz · ecofinagency.com · fullshangweblog.co.tz · ghanamma.com · habarileo.co.tz · health.go.ke · issamichuzi.blogspot.co.uk · jamhurimedia.co.tz · k24tv.co.ke · kahawatungu.com · kenyans.co.ke · kenyanvibe.com · michuzijr.blogspot.com · nairobileo.co.ke · ntv.nation.co.ke · pulselive.co.ke · radiogeneration.co.ke · ratopati.com · stjohntradewinds.com · taifaleo.nation.co.ke · uzalendonews.co.ke

This summary has been updated 15 times: see revision history