The Kenya Coast Guard Service has set up a 24-hour disaster response command centre in Mombasa ahead of the El Niño rainfall period.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The 24-hour disaster response will be set up at the KCGS headquarters, which will provide round-the-clock monitoring and maintain links with the National Disaster Operations Centre and the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) to facilitate the sharing of weather and disaster information.

KCGS is also currently undertaking pre-deployment and asset-readiness measures, including being strategically positioned in high flood-risk areas along Kenya’s coastline, including the deployment of patrol boats, inflatable rescue craft, and lifesaving equipment.

The organisation has also issued a Maritime Security Alert to these vessel operators, advising them to maintain proper communication equipment and adequate safety gear while at sea.

📌 What You Need to Know

In a notice issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, the service said readiness was being strengthened through continued investment in operational capacity, building on its experience in responding to maritime emergencies.

Among the areas being prioritised are the Tana River Delta and Garsen, the Lamu Archipelago, Vanga and Shimoni in Kwale County, as well as Tudor and Port Reitz creeks in Mombasa.

KCGS also said that they would heighten preparedness around Kilifi Creek and the Sabaki River mouth, where there is increased river discharge which would endanger the lives of the communities in the area.

“Lake Victoria region, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Budalangi have been identified as areas required for preparedness to be heightened due to risk of water rising and backflow flooding that could lead to landing sites, affect fishing boats and nearby communities,” KCGS said.

Further, other areas of priority are Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Naivasha, while in the north the service will maintain readiness along the Turkwel River and Lake Turkana.

The rescue vessels and response teams are also being strategically positioned in high-risk areas, while fuel reserves, emergency rotations, medical kits, and communication equipment have been secured to support sustained emergency response.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke