The government has set aside Sh40 million for disaster and emergence response ahead of the start of the long rains, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

On Wednesday, Mr Murkomen appeared before the Senate and said the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination had told residents of Kisumu, Busia and Tana River counties to prepare for a possibility of floods.

He said the government has strengthened early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures in readiness for flood risks and will be issuing timely alerts, besides mobilising emergency response. "The government will mobilise more resources should there be a need besides putting in place climate-resilient infrastructure, flood control measures and disaster mitigation strategies to reduce vulnerability," he said.

The CS said the prolonged 2024 rains resulted in flooding that affected most parts of the country where 315 people died due to floods, 293,205 individuals were displaced and 412,263 persons affected.