Boost preparedness ahead of El Nino rains

NAIROBI: For some time now, the meteorological department has been warning of impeding El Nino rains that are expected to pound the country in the month of October and could last for a month. In parts of the country, the signs are already evident; rains and gathering clouds. The last El Nino phenomenon to hit the country was experienced in the period 1997/1998. The extent of the damage caused by those torrential rains at that time was gargantuan. Houses, power lines, crops, livestock and roads were swept away. Several deaths were also reported where flood water overwhelmed people.

In an effort  to preclude a repeat of the same, Deputy President William Ruto chaired a Cabinet meeting recently whose aim was to come up with a strategy to mitigate the ravages of the expected heavy rains.