The Marsabit County Government has intensified preparations to protect residents from the anticipated impacts of the El Niño rains forecast for October and November this year.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a full County Steering Group (CSG) meeting held on Thursday at Jirime Hotel and Resort, bringing together county and national government officials, development partners, and other stakeholders to review disaster preparedness and response plans.
Among those in attendance were Marsabit County Secretary Halkano Araro, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Marsabit County Director Guyo Golicha, and the County Executive Director for Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Janet Ahatho Ekalo.
The meeting reviewed the Long Rains Food and Nutrition Security Assessment report and received updates from key sectors including agriculture, livestock, water, education, health and nutrition, as well as peace and security.
Speaking during the meeting, County Secretary Halkano Araro said the county government, in collaboration with development partners, was implementing measures aimed at minimizing the impact of the expected El Niño rains.
“The county government, together with various partners, is continuing to implement strategies to ensure the anticipated El Niño rains do not cause significant harm to the people of Marsabit,” Araro said.
He noted that road rehabilitation projects are ongoing across the county, with several roads already repaired to improve accessibility and reduce disruptions that could result from flooding.
Janet Ahatho Ekalo, Director for Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, said rising water levels in Lake Turkana have already affected communities living along the lakeshore.
She said the county government is planning compensation for affected residents while further assessments are underway to determine the full extent of the damage.
The leaders also resolved to conduct field visits across various parts of the county to assess challenges facing communities and collect accurate data. They said the next County Steering Group meeting will focus on validating the findings and developing appropriate response measures.
Meanwhile, NDMA Marsabit County Director Guyo Golicha reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to coordinating drought risk management activities, strengthening early warning systems, and working closely with stakeholders to support pastoralist communities.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for closer collaboration between the county government, the national government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development partners, and local communities to strengthen disaster preparedness and enhance resilience against the growing impacts of climate change.
