A heavy storm accompanied by strong winds damaged buildings, uprooted trees and brought down billboards in the city of Kisumu on Thursday, leaving residents and businesses counting their losses.
The downpour, which lasted less than 30 minutes, swept through the city and surrounding areas, blowing off rooftops, shattering window panes and damaging vehicles and other property.
A billboard was blown down along Jomo Kenyatta Highway, landing on parked vehicles and causing damage.
At Jumbo Steel Mills hardware on Obote Road, strong winds damaged part of the roof and a section of a wall.
Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Ramadhan Mwabudzo said the incident had raised concerns about the structural safety of ageing buildings, billboards and other structures, particularly those along busy streets.
He urged landlords and tenants to inspect their premises as the rainy season intensifies, warning that poorly maintained buildings could endanger occupants, customers and members of the public.
“We have asked landlords and tenants to check their buildings before the rains. We have to be cautious about our environment because there are so many people who rely on these businesses,” Ramadhan said.
He said the county administration, working with the city planning department, would inspect buildings and billboards to determine whether they could withstand extreme weather.
“Today’s experience has sent a new alert to both the city planning team and my team. We have to go round again and check the strength of most buildings and billboards erected along the streets,” he said.
Ramadhan also called for an assessment of drainage systems, despite ongoing efforts to improve drainage and control flooding in the city.
Kisumu City Manager Fredrick Mariwa said authorities were assessing the extent of the damage and urged residents to remain calm and take precautionary measures as more rain was expected.
The storm has also renewed attention on the county’s disaster preparedness plans ahead of anticipated heavy El Niño rains.
Earlier, the county government convened a meeting of its Disaster Management Committee to coordinate mitigation, response and preparedness measures involving county and national government officials and other stakeholders.
The meeting, held at the governor’s boardroom, was co-chaired by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Ramadhan and brought together the deputy governor, county executive committee members, sub-county and assistant county commissioners, disaster management officials and partner organisations.
Nyong’o said authorities should prioritise vulnerable communities, particularly informal settlements, low-lying areas and the Kano Plains, which are susceptible to flooding.
He called for detailed contingency plans, including assessments of transport routes and the identification of elevated sites for temporary health facilities, security hubs and emergency shelters.
“We need clear data, partner backing, and strong coordination with the National Government and Kenya Red Cross so we can protect vulnerable groups: our schools, ECD centres, and the elderly,” Nyong’o said.
The governor said disaster management teams should identify high-risk areas early and coordinate with relevant agencies to protect lives, infrastructure and livelihoods.
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