Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, has highlighted the importance of strengthening East Africa’s preparedness for climate-related disasters during discussions surrounding the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action.The dialogue focuses on how governments, humanitarian organisations, disaster-management agencies and communities can prepare for climate emergencies before they cause widespread destruction. These emergencies include floods, droughts, landslides and other weather-related hazards that threaten lives, destroy property, disrupt economic activities and undermine food security across the region.

The central issue is the need to move from responding to disasters after they happen to taking early, coordinated action before their impacts become severe. This approach is particularly important in East Africa, where changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells and extreme weather events continue to expose vulnerable communities to serious risks.

Murkomen’s participation in discussions on disaster preparedness comes at a time when Kenya and its neighbours need stronger early-warning systems, better coordination between national and county authorities, reliable emergency funding and effective communication with communities facing climate threats.During the opening of the three-day regional platform in Mombasa on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Murkomen called on member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to strengthen preparedness and take early action as forecasts point to potentially strong El Niño conditions in the 2026/2027 season.

The meeting brings together government representatives, disaster-management experts, humanitarian agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss practical ways of reducing the effects of climate emergencies.

Murkomen highlighted the fact that climate disasters do not respect national borders. Drought in one country can affect pastoralist communities whose livestock move across borders, while floods can disrupt transport, trade and livelihoods in several neighbouring countries at the same time.Traditional disaster response often begins after a crisis has already affected communities. Governments then mobilise rescue teams, distribute food, provide temporary shelter and seek additional funds to support affected households.

Although these measures remain necessary, anticipatory action aims to reduce the scale of damage by taking appropriate steps earlier.

For example, when reliable forecasts indicate that severe flooding is likely, authorities can alert residents living near rivers, identify evacuation routes, prepare temporary shelters and position emergency supplies in accessible locations.One of the significant concerns highlighted in the reported remarks was the relationship between climate shocks, conflict and displacement.

When drought destroys pasture and water sources, pastoralist communities may be forced to travel further in search of essential resources. Competition over scarce water, grazing land and other resources can increase tensions, particularly in areas already affected by insecurity.

Floods and other extreme weather events can also destroy homes, displace families and interrupt access to schools, hospitals and markets.

Murkomen warned that disasters and conflicts can reinforce one another. Climate shocks can undermine livelihoods and trigger resource-related disputes, while insecurity makes it more difficult for communities to prepare for or recover from emergencies. Early-warning systems must lead to early action

Another key priority is improving the connection between weather forecasts and practical decisions.

An early-warning system can identify the possibility of a flood, drought or other emergency, but its value depends on whether the information reaches the people who need it and whether they have the resources to respond.

A warning delivered too late may leave families with insufficient time to move to safety, protect their property or secure their livestock.

Murkomen called for stronger regional cooperation in sharing risk information, strengthening early-warning systems and establishing clear triggers for action.A major challenge in disaster management is obtaining money quickly enough to implement preventive measures. When funding is only released after a disaster, governments may face higher costs associated with rescue operations, relief supplies, rebuilding infrastructure and supporting displaced families.

Murkomen therefore called for more predictable financing that enables authorities to act before disasters occur.

This includes incorporating anticipatory action into public budgets, establishing appropriate financing mechanisms and strengthening partnerships with development organisations and humanitarian agencies.The Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform is co-hosted by the Kenyan government and IGAD, the regional organisation that supports cooperation among countries in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas.

The meeting runs from October 28 to October 30, 2026, in Mombasa, under the theme Transforming Risk into Resilience. It builds on the first dialogue platform, held in 2024, which produced the 17-point Mombasa Declaration on anticipatory action.

The second meeting seeks to review progress made since the first gathering and establish practical commitments for improving preparedness across the region.

Participants are expected to examine how governments can strengthen early-warning systems, involve local communities in planning, improve coordination between institutions and establish sustainable financing arrangements.The success of the regional dialogue will ultimately depend on whether its recommendations translate into tangible improvements in people's lives.

For farmers, effective anticipatory action could mean receiving reliable information about expected rainfall and having time to adjust planting decisions.

For pastoralists, it could mean getting advance warnings about drought and receiving assistance to protect livestock before water and pasture become critically scarce.

For families living in flood-prone areas, it could mean having sufficient time to evacuate, access safe shelters and protect essential belongings.

For governments, it could mean spending more resources on preventing losses and fewer resources on expensive emergency operations and reconstruction.