Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni addressing Journalists at Mutyambua while touring flood-affected areas in Makueni County. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
The Ministry of Health has assured Kenyans of its preparedness to respond to potential health emergencies as floods continue to wreak havoc in several parts of the country.
Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni said the government has activated emergency response mechanisms to manage any health hazards that may arise from the ongoing heavy rains and flooding.
Speaking in Mutyambua while touring flood-affected areas in Makueni County, Muthoni said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation as the death toll linked to the disaster in the county rises to 11.
She cautioned that stagnant water left behind by the floods could trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases if communities fail to observe proper hygiene and sanitation.
“Our emergency operations center is already up and running, and we have 25 counties that already have operational Emergency Operations Centers. We will continue operationalizing more across the country to strengthen preparedness,” Muthoni said.
The PS noted that the health sector is working closely with county governments and healthcare workers as part of broader preparations for the March–April–May rainy season.
She urged members of the public to avoid consuming contaminated water and instead ensure that all drinking water is properly treated.
“Please do not take water that is contaminated. Ensure that the water you are drinking is boiled and that sanitation is well taken care of,” she said.
Muthoni explained that the ongoing rains are likely to increase the flow of water from highland areas to low-lying regions, raising the risk of contamination and disease outbreaks.
She particularly appealed to parents and caregivers to exercise caution when sending children to school, warning that flooded rivers and slippery roads pose serious dangers.
“Our parents and caregivers should be very cautious. Do not allow children to go to school where roads are slippery or where they cannot cross rivers safely. It is important to accompany them where necessary,” she advised.
The PS also called on motorists to exercise extra caution on the roads as heavy rains continue.
“To motorists, please drive carefully and observe road safety measures so that we do not record many accidents during this rainy season,” she said.
While noting that no disease outbreaks have been reported so far, Muthoni said the ministry is maintaining vigilance and issuing early warnings to prevent possible public health crises.
“I don’t think we have any outbreaks right now. We are just giving caution as we move forward, but we have had many before and that is why we continue to warn the public across the country,” she said.
Several parts of the country have experienced heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to flooding, displacement of families and destruction of property, with authorities urging residents in high-risk areas to remain alert.
