By Ongaga Ongaga
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged the national and county governments to urgently implement disaster preparedness measures ahead of the October–December rainy season,
The commission said that inadequate planning could expose vulnerable Kenyans to preventable deaths and rights violations.
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In a statement issued on Monday, the KNCHHR said previous floods had caused deaths, displacement, destruction of livelihoods and disruption of essential services, stressing that preparedness must be demonstrated through action rather than plans on paper.
“However, plans alone do not demonstrate readiness,” the commission said, calling for urgent measures to protect children, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, migrants and people living with chronic illnesses.
The KNCHR acknowledged preparedness measures undertaken by the two levels of government and said early warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA) provided a basis for timely intervention.
It, however, insisted that operational decisions must be guided by official weather forecasts, local risk assessments and the protection needs of affected communities.
“Preventing avoidable deaths and providing timely emergency assistance are fundamental State obligations,” the commission said, citing constitutional guarantees on the right to life and access to essential services.
Activate emergency plans
The commission called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Disaster Operations Centre, the Council of Governors and county governments to activate coordinated contingency plans and pre-position emergency supplies in flood-prone areas.
It said authorities should clarify responsibilities, prepare safe evacuation routes, establish accessible shelters and ensure emergency response teams are ready for deployment.
The commission also urged KMSA, county governments and media organisations to provide timely, locally relevant weather warnings in accessible languages and formats, including Kenyan Sign Language.
Warnings, it said, should clearly outline the risks, evacuation instructions, shelter locations and emergency contacts, with communities involved in preparedness planning.
County governments, emergency agencies, the National Police Service, Children Services and humanitarian partners were further urged to ensure that evacuations and temporary shelters were safe, dignified and inclusive.
The shelters should provide clean water, accessible sanitation, privacy, hygiene supplies and protection against violence, abuse and discrimination, particularly for women and girls.
The KNCHR also called for continuity of essential health services, including emergency treatment, maternal healthcare, immunisation and the management of chronic illnesses.
Authorities were urged to maintain safe water supplies, sanitation, waste disposal and disease surveillance to prevent public health emergencies.
Schools, livelihoods and accountability
With national examinations taking place during the rainy season, the commission urged the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission, Kenya National Examinations Council and county governments to put in place contingency measures to ensure candidates can safely access examination centres.
It recommended alternative examination venues where necessary and called for support for learners with disabilities. Where schools are used as emergency shelters, disruption to learning and examinations should be minimised.
The commission also urged authorities to safeguard food security and livelihoods, provide needs-based food assistance and protect wetlands and water sources while maintaining drainage systems where appropriate.
On public spending, the KNCHR called on the National Treasury and county governments to allocate adequate resources for preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
It urged Parliament, county assemblies, the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General to exercise their oversight mandates, insisting that emergency allocations, procurement and expenditure must be transparent.
The commission further called for accessible hotlines and confidential complaints mechanisms through which affected people could report discrimination, abuse, exclusion and other human rights violations.
It said national and county governments should regularly report on warning coverage, evacuation readiness, essential services, relief distribution, expenditure and complaints resolved.
“The Commission urges the National and County Governments to move decisively from planning to implementation,” the statement said.
The KNCHR said it would continue monitoring the human rights impact of floods, El Niño and other extreme weather events, receiving complaints and engaging responsible institutions on corrective action.
