Parents, Schools and Government Agencies Urged to Strengthen Preparedness as Kenya Braces for Expected El Niño Rains
By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
Nairobi, Kenya | October 6, 2026
The National Parents Association (NPA) has urged parents, schools, Government agencies and other stakeholders to prioritise the safety of learners as Kenya prepares for expected heavy rains and possible flooding in various parts of the country.
NPA National Chairman Mr. Silas David Obuhatsa called on families living along riverbanks, riparian reserves, low-lying areas and other flood-prone locations—particularly in Nairobi County—to take precautionary measures early and strictly follow advisories issued by the Government and emergency authorities.
“The safety of our children must remain our collective responsibility.”
Mr. Obuhatsa said the NPA is ready to work closely with the Ministry of Education, schools, Government agencies, communities and other organisations to support preparations aimed at protecting learners.
LEARNING FROM PAST FLOODS
The NPA said Kenya’s previous experiences with heavy rainfall and flooding demonstrate how quickly rivers can burst their banks, drainage systems can become overwhelmed, roads can become impassable and bridges can be submerged.
Past flooding incidents have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of families, disruption of transport and interruption of learning.
The NPA therefore cautioned parents and learners against underestimating flood water.
Parents should ensure that children understand that they must never attempt to cross moving flood water, even when it appears shallow or safe.
Flood water may conceal open drainage channels, deep holes, debris and other hazards, while water currents can become stronger without warning.
PARENTS OF DAY AND BOARDING STUDENTS URGED TO PREPARE
The NPA is calling upon parents of both day scholars and boarding students to work closely with school administrations throughout the rainy period.
Parents of day scholars should establish the safest routes to and from school and understand alternative arrangements where roads, bridges or drainage systems become dangerous.
Parents of boarding students should maintain regular communication with schools and ensure that their contact details are updated so they can receive emergency information promptly.
Parents are also urged to cooperate with schools whenever emergency instructions concern movement, collection of learners or temporary changes caused by extreme weather.
SCHOOLS MUST KEEP PARENTS INFORMED
The NPA has called on principals, head teachers and school management teams to maintain regular communication with parents.
Schools should clearly communicate:
- Safety measures being implemented to protect learners.
- Safe routes to and from school.
- Procedures where roads or bridges become flooded.
- Emergency communication arrangements.
- Plans for learners who cannot safely travel home.
- Emergency evacuation procedures.
- Safe pick-up and drop-off arrangements.
- The dangers of walking or playing in flood water.
- What learners should do if they encounter flooding while travelling.
Schools should also continuously sensitise learners that playing in rainwater or flood water can expose them to serious danger.
NPA WELCOMES GOVERNMENT PREPAREDNESS
The NPA welcomed preparations by the Ministry of Education and other Government agencies to respond to emergencies that may arise from heavy rains and flooding.
Mr. Obuhatsa urged parents not to panic, but instead to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative while relying on official information from the Government, Ministry of Education, schools and relevant emergency authorities.
Where emergencies arise, parents should follow official instructions and maintain communication with their children’s schools.
“NO JOURNEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A CHILD’S LIFE”
The NPA has expressed particular concern over school transport during periods of heavy rainfall.
Schools and school transport operators have been urged to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and operated by competent and responsible drivers.
The NPA cautioned drivers against attempting to cross flooded bridges, rivers or roads where water is moving dangerously.
It also called on relevant authorities to take appropriate action where school transport operators knowingly expose learners to dangerous flood conditions.
Traffic Police officers have been urged to remain vigilant around river crossings, bridges and other known flood-risk areas.
“No journey is more important than the life of a child.”
PRINCIPALS URGED TO ENGAGE DRIVERS AND PARENTS
The NPA wants school principals and head teachers to hold discussions with school drivers, transport providers and parents about the dangers of travelling during flooding.
Drivers should understand that arriving late is better than putting children’s lives at risk.
Parents, meanwhile, should avoid pressuring drivers to use dangerous routes simply because they want their children to arrive at school or return home at a particular time.
Where authorities declare a road or bridge unsafe, school transport operators and parents should respect the warning.
NPA CALLS FOR PARENT SENSITISATION
The NPA is calling upon Parents Association Chairpersons to organise sensitisation meetings, particularly in day schools and communities located in flood-prone areas.
Parents should discuss practical safety measures with their children and ensure they understand the dangers associated with flooding.
Children should be clearly instructed:
DO NOT WALK IN FLOOD WATER.
DO NOT CROSS FLOODED RIVERS.
DO NOT CROSS FLOODED BRIDGES.
DO NOT PLAY IN FLOOD WATER.
DO NOT APPROACH FAST-MOVING WATER.
DO NOT ASSUME SHALLOW-LOOKING WATER IS SAFE.
Children who encounter flooding should immediately move away from the affected area and seek assistance from responsible adults or authorities.
“NO STUDENT SHOULD MISS EXAMINATIONS BECAUSE OF FLOODS”
Speaking to the media at the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), where he attended the National Examinations briefing, Mr. Obuhatsa assured parents that the NPA is concerned about ensuring learners can undertake their examinations safely despite adverse weather conditions.
He urged parents to remain calm and cooperate with the Ministry of Education, KNEC, school administrations, security agencies and other Government authorities.
Where weather-related emergencies arise, parents should follow official instructions and maintain close communication with schools.
NPA: SAFETY IS A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
The National Parents Association says emergency preparedness must be a shared responsibility involving the Government, Ministry of Education, schools, parents, communities, school transport operators, Traffic Police and emergency response agencies.
The NPA has urged Kenyans to support emergency preparedness and response measures, remain alert without creating unnecessary panic, rely on official information and avoid spreading unverified information.
“We cannot stop the rains, but through proper preparation, timely communication and responsible action, we can reduce the risks they pose to our children.”
The NPA says it remains ready to work with the Government, schools and communities to ensure the safety and welfare of every learner remains a priority.
THE NPA’S MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:
PREPARE. REMAIN ALERT. FOLLOW GOVERNMENT ADVISORIES. PUT THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN FIRST.
Parents living along rivers, in riparian reserves, near bridges, in low-lying areas and other flood-prone locations are urged to take official warnings seriously.
Schools should strengthen emergency preparedness, school drivers should put learner safety before convenience, Traffic Police should remain vigilant at dangerous crossings, and Parents Association leaders should mobilise communities for sensitisation.
The safety of our children is our collective responsibility.
