GENEVA – As global threats from floods, droughts and storms intensify, Kenya is stepping up its efforts to prepare for disasters and is asking the world for deeper cooperation.
On Monday, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen met Kamal Kishore, the UN’s top disaster risk official, to discuss stronger ties between Kenya and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), which is underway in Geneva.
“This was about sharing strategies and building a united front,” Murkomen said after the talks. “We discussed ways to improve early warning systems, invest in recovery after disasters, and ensure our emergency teams are ready to act quickly.”
Kenya, like much of East Africa, is no stranger to climate shocks. Flash floods, prolonged droughts and the displacement of thousands have become part of the country’s growing challenges. Murkomen highlighted Kenya’s recent adoption of the Early Warnings for All initiative, a global push to ensure communities receive climate alerts ahead of disasters.
“We are no longer waiting for disasters to hit before we act,” he said. “We are taking early steps to keep people safe and help them recover quickly.”
Kishore, who serves as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, praised Kenya’s leadership on the continent. “Kenya has shown what’s possible when a country invests in resilience,” he said. “From hosting UN-Habitat to pioneering urban resilience strategies, it is clear Kenya is not just reacting it’s preparing.”
The bilateral meeting also covered training for disaster personnel, the use of new technology in emergency response, and how countries can share information when crises cross borders.
With deadly floods recently sweeping through Kenya, and forecasts warning of further extreme weather events across the Horn of Africa, the timing of the meeting was more than symbolic. It was a reminder that preparing for disasters is no longer optional it’s essential.
As Kishore put it, “This is not just about building systems. It’s about protecting lives.”
