Kitui County Government has taken a significant step toward strengthening disaster preparedness and response through a two-day Disaster Risk Management (DRM) training for Ministerial Champions. The workshop, held at Mutomo Highway Cottages from 5th to 6th February 2026, brought together senior county leadership to enhance coordination, readiness, and policy alignment in managing disasters.

The training was facilitated by National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) trainers, Jesse Ithai and Justin Njagi, following an invitation from the County line department.

High-Level Participation

The workshop attracted 40 senior county officials drawn from various ministries, reflecting a strong whole-of-government approach to disaster management. Also in attendance were the Senior Security Advisor to H.E. the Governor, the Chief Officer in charge of Disaster Risk Management, and H.E. the Deputy Governor, who officially opened the workshop.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Governor emphasized the importance of preparedness, coordination, and proactive planning in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure against emerging risks.

Comprehensive Training on Disaster Risk Management

Participants engaged in in-depth sessions covering key areas critical to effective disaster management, including:

• Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

• Risk mapping and analysis

• Disaster data management

• Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) functions

• Incident Command System (ICS)

• Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

• Business Continuity Planning

• Flood response strategies

The interactive sessions combined theory with practical insights, equipping participants with tools to enhance planning, coordination, and operational effectiveness across departments.

Key Outcomes

The training achieved several important outcomes:

• Strengthened inter-ministerial coordination, fostering a unified response framework

• Enhanced practical readiness and response capacity

• Greater alignment with the County DRM Policy

• Improved understanding of structured emergency response systems such as ICS and EOC operations

The engagement also reinforced the role of Ministerial Champions as key drivers of disaster preparedness within their respective departments.

Next Steps

Building on the momentum of the workshop, the County Government and NDOC agreed on the need to operationalize the acquired skills through:

• Planned simulation exercises and drills

• Activation and strengthening of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

• Continued capacity building and coordination mechanisms

These next steps will ensure that the knowledge gained translates into practical, real-world preparedness and response capability.

Kitui County’s proactive investment in disaster risk management underscores its commitment to protecting communities, strengthening resilience, and ensuring sustainable development in the face of increasing disaster risks.