Brace for El Niño: Ministry of Health Issues Urgent Food Safety Advisory

Different foods in a market PHOTO/iSTOCK

The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to take early food safety precautions ahead of the expected El Niño rains, warning that flooding and high humidity could increase the risk of food-borne diseases across the country.

In an advisory issued on Sunday, September 28, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, the ministry said previous El Niño seasons have been linked to outbreaks of illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and aflatoxin poisoning due to contaminated water and spoiled food.

The advisory comes after an alert from the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority (KMSA), which has warned of enhanced rainfall in the coming weeks.

According to the ministry, floodwaters are likely to mix with sewage, contaminating shallow wells, boreholes and piped water, particularly in low-lying areas.

Mould On Foods

Additionally, the ministry also cautioned that increased humidity could accelerate the growth of mould on maize, peanuts and animal feed, raising the risk of aflatoxin contamination.

Further, the ministry warned that power outages during the rainy season could disrupt cold storage, causing milk, meat and leftovers kept in refrigerators and freezers to spoil.

Also Read: SHA Sounds Warning to 7,244 Health Facilities Ahead of October 1

It also noted that flooding in major markets could expose food to dirty water, mud and flies.

To help households prepare, the ministry advised Kenyans to stock up on Water Guard or chlorine tablets, clean and cover water storage tanks, and keep drinking water in separate covered containers.

It also encouraged families to ensure dry foods such as maize flour, maize grains, beans and groundnuts are properly dried and stored in airtight containers placed off the floor.

Shop Before El Niño

Households with old cereal stocks from the previous season were advised to sun-dry them before the rains begin.

The ministry also urged people to prepare their kitchens by stocking soap, handwash, sanitizers and airtight containers for storing leftovers, emphasizing that regular handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent disease transmission.

Also Read: EL NIÑO ALERT: Govt Issues Fresh El Niño Warning Ahead of October Rains

Food vendors and traders, including mama mboga operators, were advised to raise food off the ground, improve drainage around their stalls and ensure their food handlers’ medical certificates are up to date as county inspections are expected to increase.

The ministry also called on Community Health Promoters and Nyumba Kumi leaders to organize drainage clean-up exercises and educate residents on the importance of boiling water before the rains, stressing that food safety is a shared responsibility.

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