Murkomen Warns of El Niño Threat, Calls for Early Disaster Preparedness Across Kenya

By Gedion Nzyoki -

MOMBASA, Kenya | October 28, 2026 — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for stronger disaster preparedness and early response measures across Kenya, warning that anticipated strong El Niño conditions this season underscore the urgent need for governments to act before disasters strike.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen addresses delegates during the official opening of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Murkomen said national and county governments must shift from reactive disaster management to anticipatory action by strengthening early warning systems, securing timely financing and establishing clear procedures to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related emergencies.

Speaking on Wednesday during the official opening of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa County, the Cabinet Secretary said disaster preparedness must become an integral part of government operations rather than depend on temporary projects or external support.

“The urgency is real. Strong El Niño conditions are anticipated this season. Preparedness is a present test, and the Government is taking it seriously,” Murkomen said.

Murkomen Pushes for Shift from Reactive to Preventive Disaster Management

The Interior CS said the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, partly driven by climate change, required governments to rethink how they plan for and respond to emergencies.

He noted that droughts, floods and climate-related displacement often affect several countries simultaneously, making regional cooperation essential in addressing shared risks.

“As of December 2025, an estimated 48.5 million people across our region required humanitarian assistance,” Murkomen said, describing the situation as a significant strain on public institutions, community security and societal stability.

He argued that disaster management should no longer be treated as an isolated humanitarian responsibility activated only after destruction has occurred.

Instead, Murkomen called for disaster risk reduction to be integrated into national development planning, infrastructure investment and fiscal frameworks to minimise losses and protect vulnerable communities.

“For governments, disaster management can no longer be treated as an isolated, purely reactive humanitarian duty,” he said.

Kenya to Implement Disaster Risk Management Act 2026

Murkomen identified the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026; the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy, 2026–2030; the Kenya Anticipatory Action Roadmap, 2024–2029; and the National Framework for Climate Services as key pillars of Kenya’s approach to disaster preparedness.

He said the government would fully operationalise the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026, to establish clear responsibilities, improve coordination and formalise procedures for responding to emerging threats.

The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted Kenya’s commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement, the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13 on Climate Action.

He said aligning domestic policies with international frameworks would strengthen disaster preparedness, climate adaptation and cross-border cooperation among East African countries.

Murkomen Calls for Predictable Disaster Financing

The Cabinet Secretary said effective disaster preparedness would remain difficult without financing arrangements that enable governments to mobilise resources before a crisis escalates.

He called for a shift towards pre-arranged funding mechanisms that release resources once agreed risk thresholds are reached, rather than relying predominantly on emergency fundraising after disasters occur.

Murkomen said the government was also integrating anticipatory financing into national contingency budgets and social protection systems to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable populations before emergencies become severe.

He urged development partners, international financial institutions and the private sector to provide predictable and flexible funding that strengthens existing government systems instead of creating parallel structures.

He added that domestic resources would be complemented, where appropriate, by risk financing, insurance and support from development partners.

IGAD Urged to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

Murkomen called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its member states to strengthen regional collaboration on disaster preparedness, noting that climate-related emergencies frequently transcend national borders.

He thanked IGAD for convening the dialogue in partnership with the Government of Kenya, describing regional coordination as essential to developing a common approach to disaster risk management across the Horn of Africa.

The CS said cooperation among governments and regional institutions was critical to addressing shared climate risks and ensuring that early warning information translates into timely action to protect affected communities.

Regional Leaders Challenged to Deliver Actionable Commitments

Murkomen urged delegates attending the three-day dialogue to prioritise practical outcomes that would translate regional commitments into measurable improvements in disaster preparedness.

He called on government ministries, United Nations agencies, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure that anticipatory action is incorporated into national legislation, development budgets and regional frameworks.

“As you deliberate over the next three days, I urge all delegates, from government ministries and UN agencies to development partners and civil society, to focus on actionable outcomes that mainstream early action into national legislation, development budgets and regional frameworks,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary said the dialogue provided an opportunity for regional stakeholders to strengthen coordination, improve disaster financing and establish practical measures to ensure governments and communities are better prepared for emerging climate-related threats.