Kilifi Governor Mung'aro seeking Sh930m for El Nino

Kilifi governor Gideon Mung'aro. [File, Standard]

The county government of Kilifi is seeking Sh930 million for their plans to mitigate the effects of the El Nino rains.

Governor Gideon Mung'aro said on Thursday that the county was seeking financial assistance from well-wishers and development partners to prepare for the expected floods.

He said the county had established a central emergency operation centre in readiness for the rains. The centre is at Matsangoni in the Kilifi North sub-county.

"The country shall be experiencing the El Nino rains. I appeal to stakeholders and partners to help us raise the Sh930 million budget to enable us to respond to El Nino emergencies," he said.

He said the Matsangoni Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) will coordinate rescue, evacuation and emergency services across the county. Residents in distress have a toll-free number to call in case of an emergency within their locality.

The Chief Officer for Disaster Management, Ms Irene Opicha, said the centre was equipped to protect life and property and cushion residents from losses occasioned by calamities.

"We are changing the face of disaster management in the county, and we have roped in various partners, NGOs, and the Kenya Red Cross. You will be able to call to the centre and the emergency response team near you will swiftly respond," she said.

Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) of Matsangoni division Patricia Dama urged residents with dilapidated latrines and toilets to reconstruct or reinforce them before the coming of the rains.

She said that floods will flow through homesteads, affecting latrines.

"Those with weak latrines should reconstruct them because the rains will be heavy and the toilets might get washed away and bring about waterborne and communicable diseases," she said.

According to the weatherman, the country will experience El Nino season starting this month to January next year.

Kilifi was among the areas that were worst hit in 2006 and 1997 when the El Nino was experienced in the country.