The Kenyan Ministry of Health has urged households, food vendors, and businesses to implement preventive measures against food and water-borne illnesses as El Niño rains approach. In an advisory released Monday, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni highlighted that heavy rainfall, flooding, and high humidity could contaminate water sources and accelerate mould growth on crops. 'Past El Niño seasons have shown that these conditions lead to a sharp rise in food-borne illnesses,' Muthoni stated, emphasizing the need for early preparation to mitigate risks. The PS specifically warned that floodwater could pollute shallow wells, boreholes, and piped water, particularly in low-lying areas, while high humidity would exacerbate aflatoxin contamination in maize, peanuts, and animal feed.
Muthoni advised households to stock water purification tools like chlorine tablets, clean and cover water storage containers, and maintain separate, protected drinking water supplies. She also recommended keeping grains, groundnuts, and beans dry in airtight containers, with old cereal stocks sun-dried before the rains begin. The advisory extended to food businesses and informal vendors, urging them to elevate food storage, improve drainage, and ensure food handlers possess valid medical certificates ahead of heightened county inspections. 'Raise food off the ground, plan for proper drainage, and have your food handler’s medical certificate ready,' she instructed, stressing compliance with health regulations.
The Ministry further tasked Community Health Promoters and Nyumba Kumi representatives with organizing drainage clean-ups, unclogging trenches, and educating communities on boiling water to prevent illness. Muthoni reiterated that early action would safeguard public health during the rainy season, stating, 'Food Safety is Everyone’s Business.' She emphasized that power outages during the rains could disrupt cold-chain storage, risking spoilage of perishables like milk and meat, and called for proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations. The advisory underscores the intersection of climate resilience and public health, urging collective responsibility to prevent preventable illnesses.
The Health Ministry’s warnings align with historical patterns linking El Niño events to spikes in water and food-borne diseases, particularly in regions with inadequate infrastructure. By prioritizing preventive measures, the government aims to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and protect communities from avoidable health crises. Muthoni’s guidance reflects a proactive approach to climate-related risks, balancing immediate action with long-term preparedness to ensure food security amid unpredictable weather patterns.