Alert issued for storm in Coast, heavy rains

Parts of the coastal region will receive a huge storm Wednesday, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has warned.

The storm is expected to hit northern parts of the Coast with rainfall that will increase steadily in 24 hours and likely to cause flooding, the department said.

"We are expecting over 30mm of rain at the Coast, and residents are advised to stay away from waterways," reads a report by KMD.

Parts of Mt Kenya region, Nairobi and South Eastern Lowlands such as Mtito Andei and Kibwezi have also been marked as areas likely to receive intensified rainfall.

The report further states that Nyanza and Western might receive heavy downpour from Thursday.

National Disaster Operations Centre Director Nathan Kigotho urged the public living in flood-prone areas to start moving before the rains intensify.

"Latest satellite images indicate that some parts of Mt Kenya region are receiving rainfall as high as 100 to 200mm. East of Wajir County and some other parts of the North Eastern region are recording between 70 and 140mm," said Kigotho.

He urged Kenyans living in lowlands and around rivers to seek refuge in school and church compounds.

His call came as Narok County said it was in efforts to prepare for the rains. The county said it has set aside Sh61 million to buy livestock vaccines to prevent the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, Lumpy Skin and blue tongue diseases.

According to the livestock chief officer, Gabriel Turasha, plans are underway to vaccinate 2.9 million sheep and goats and some 1.2 million head of cattle in the six sub-counties before and during the El Nino.

"Livestock keeping is the backbone of the Maasai community's welfare, and we are working hard to make sure that they don't plunge into losses due to deaths of their stock," said Dr Turasha.

Speaking during a vaccination exercise in Loita, Turasha said the county government has put in place all measures to stop the spread of zoonotic diseases that can be passed between animals and humans.

Agriculture Executive Officer Richard Birir called on farmers to take advantage of the rains and plant a variety of crops and buy more livestock.

"I urge farmers to plant fruits like avocados, mangoes and passion fruits. They should also plant bamboo trees, potatoes, Napier grass, and finger millet which can do very well with the rains," said Mr Birir.