Nakuru County on Tuesday October 13, 2026 joined World in celebrating International Day for Risk Reduction 2026.
The event held at Nyayo gardens marked the culmination of the 12th National Symposium for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Nakuru from October 10 to 12.
The National event placed Nakuru county at the centre of conversations on safety, preparedness and resilience.
As Kenya confronts growing disaster risks, from floods and landslides to other emergencies, this year’s theme, “Resilience Starts at Home,” is a timely reminder that protecting lives begins with prepared households, informed communities and strong systems of response.
Nakuru County positioning itself to lead the conversation, strengthen collaboration and champion practical action towards a safer, more disaster-resilient nation.
Speaking during the event Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika lauded the National Disaster Management Unit for choosing Nakuru as host.
She stated that Nakuru County knows the cost of being unprepared on matters disaster Management, having experienced the Solai Dam tragedy, landslides caused by floods in Mai Mahiu and the Utumishi Girls fire incidents.
It is for this reason that she urged School heads and learning institutions to ensure mechanisms in place towards disaster Management.
“School safety must never be an afterthought, schools should put in place measures towards disaster Management,” she stated.
Governor Kihika assured that her administration is committed towards towards strengthening preparedness.
This, even as she added that the County Government will continue to urge residents to heed to early warnings and listen to the authority whenever they issue directives during tragedies.
Kihika also used the event to call out for respect for Riparian lands and adherence to land use regulations.
“We must enforce land use regulations, protect riparian lands and wetlands, and this is very important because we have seen areas where floods occur and people displaced is because we have inhabited riparian lands. We must maintain drainage corridors. So when we come around and you have built kiosks atop drainage and we have to bring it down, you will to understand because in the first place you shouldn’t be there,” she stated.
She urged developers to comply with construction safety regulations when putting up buildings to avert disasters.
On matters disaster Management, Governor Kihika cited early warnings as most effective tool but information should be accessible to communities.
And as El-nino rains expected, Kihika called for collective responsibility towards addressing safety adding that preparedness must be inclusive youth, women and children.
“Governments cannot build resilience alone, we need responsible developers, compliant businesses, Committed institutions working together going forward,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Benjamin Shamana from National Disaster Management Unit who reiterated that disaster risk Management and reduction is a collective responsibility of all in the society.
He urged those who participated in the just concluded National Symposium in Nakuru to use the knowledge gained in ensuring a safer society.
“The question we need to ask ourselves is What will be different in our homes, communities and Country as a result of the Symposium? We need safer homes, better prepared communities, reduced disasters and more resilient society. Early warnings should be addressed towards safer country,” he stated.
On his part Nakuru County Commissioner Dr. Loyford Kibaara called for the need for every households to understand how to handle disasters.
The County Commissioner urged developers to ensure Buildings should are constructed in compliance with the disaster Management regulations.
The event was also graced by CEC in charge of Public Service Management Elga Riaga reiterated the importance of this year’s theme
She revealed that the Nakuru Risk Disaster Management policy is being worked on towards an awe are working on to ensure we have an act in place.
Kenya Red cross Representative Mr. Peter Murgor who is the Disaster Management / Disaster Risk Reduction Manager at the Kenya Red Cross Society reiterated the need for collaboration.
