Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s report has revealed glaring gaps in Kenya’s disaster preparedness, highlighting that recent floods in Nairobi and other regions caused avoidable loss of life and property.
Heavy rains have cut off roads, swept away homes, and forced families to seek refuge, exposing the country’s vulnerability to overflowing rivers and inadequate drainage systems.
The audit shows that many losses could have been reduced if authorities had implemented earlier recommendations on disaster preparedness, coordination, and early warning systems.
The State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development were criticized for inefficiencies and operational gaps that worsened the impact of floods.
“The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration should coordinate with the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development to ensure the national disaster risk management policy and law are enacted,” the report recommends.
According to the audit, such a framework would resolve institutional capacity challenges and address coordination and mandate conflicts among agencies managing disasters.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency of floods to climate change, with unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather intensifying damage in already vulnerable areas.
The report underscores that delayed implementation of early warning systems and emergency coordination measures left communities exposed to avoidable harm.
Authorities are urged to enact disaster risk management policies and strengthen inter-agency coordination for more timely and effective flood response operations.
With the rainy season ongoing, the Auditor-General’s findings highlight that Kenya’s vulnerability is both climatic and institutional, demanding urgent reforms to protect lives and livelihoods.
