The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has intensified efforts to mitigate flood risks and other weather-related emergencies along Kenya’s coastline, lakes, and waterways ahead of the upcoming El Niño-driven rainfall season, according to a Ministry of Interior statement. The Service is conducting pre-deployment checks on patrol boats, inflatable rescue crafts, and life-saving equipment, while strategically positioning rescue vessels and response teams in high-risk zones. Fuel reserves, emergency rations, medical kits, and communication gear have been stockpiled to sustain operations during prolonged emergencies. A Maritime Disaster Response Joint Operations Centre has been established at KCGS headquarters in Mombasa to provide 24-hour monitoring and coordinate with the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and Kenya Meteorological Department for real-time information sharing.
KCGS has prioritized regions vulnerable to flooding, including the Tana River Delta and Garsen, where upstream runoff could disrupt transport networks; the Lamu Archipelago, where island communities rely on water transport; and Vanga and Shimoni in Kwale County, prone to tidal surges. In Mombasa, Tudor and Port Reitz creeks remain critical due to nearby settlements at risk of flooding, while Kilifi Creek and the Sabaki River mouth face threats from increased river discharge. Inland waterways like Lake Victoria’s Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Budalang’i are under watch for rising water levels, and Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Naivasha are targeted due to infrastructure and community risks. The Turkwel River and Lake Turkana also require heightened vigilance amid flash flood dangers to pastoralist populations.
The KCGS is conducting joint flood-rescue simulations with the Kenya Navy, Kenya Wildlife Service, and local divers at Diani Beach to test coordination and response protocols. Since 2023, the Service has addressed over 1,500 maritime emergencies, including 424 rescue operations this year alone. During March and April’s floods in Ahero and Nyakach, KCGS evacuated 86 households, relocated 200 livestock, and rescued 300 people. The Service continues to adjust deployments based on weather forecasts and emerging risks, emphasizing the importance of public adherence to safety advisories.
A Maritime Security Alert has been issued to vessel operators, urging them to maintain communication equipment and safety gear amid intensified patrols. The government has called on coastal and lakeside communities to remain vigilant, avoid hazardous waterways during severe weather, and follow official guidance. KCGS officials stressed that preparedness measures aim to reduce avoidable risks and ensure rapid response capabilities as El Niño conditions threaten to exacerbate flooding across Kenya’s water systems.