Turkana Steps Up El Niño Preparedness as Forecast Warns of Enhanced Rains

Turkana County is bracing for El Niño rains that are expected to trigger flooding, a water crisis and cross-border conflict in the coming weeks.The County Director of Meteorological Services, Francis Muinda, said Turkana is among counties forecast to receive above-normal rainfall, with up to 200mm expected from September, peaking in October to December.Muinda said both scientific forecasts and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) show enhanced rainfall that could cause flooding in Lodwar, Lokangae and other low-lying areas.He spoke during a county meeting to form preparedness committees. Stakeholders flagged damage to water systems and a surge in malaria as immediate risks.Deputy Governor Dr John Erus, in a separate meeting with the World Food Programme (WFP), said Turkana lost more than 75 per cent of its clean water supply in the last El Niño after high-yielding boreholes along River Turkwel were swept away.Erus said the county will prioritise borehole protection, malaria prevention and re-seeding of pasturelands to support millions of livestock.Officials also warned that returning herders will escalate conflict over pasture and water. Thousands of Turkana pastoralists who migrated to Uganda and South Sudan during the dry spell are expected back, increasing pressure on grazing fields.The scramble for pasture is linked to cattle rustling and inter-communal violence. Herders also risk arrest in Uganda for trespass.The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is backing joint peace efforts. DRC official Alfred Loyok said Kenya must formally engage Uganda to secure grazing rights, protection and movement tracking for Turkana herders."While they are still in Uganda, there is need for Kenyan authorities to formally engage their Ugandan counterparts for permission to graze, protection and movement tracking. Turkana is working with Pokot counterparts to come up with a joint plan for Kenya," Loyok said.Meanwhile, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has launched mass animal vaccination to avert an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, which thrives during floods.Director Dr Allan Azegele said the county is scaling up treatment and vaccination of dogs, cats and donkeys under the Kick Rabies and Hydatidosis Out of Turkana campaign, with expanded vaccination planned for the North Rift.The Turkana plan will be consolidated with those of other counties into a national preparedness document for resource mobilization.