Kenya Red Cross is proud to host the 2nd Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Research Carnival in Nairobi from 23rd-25th September, bringing together researchers, practitioners and National Societies from around the world. Under the theme "Reimagining Wellbeing: Indigenous Knowledge and Approaches and Protection of Humanitarian Workers," we are exploring how local knowledge and innovation can strengthen support for communities and those who serve them. "Caring for those who care for others is not a side project of the humanitarian mission, it is the mission."

As El Niño preparedness enters a critical phase, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja today led an inspection of ongoing drainage unblocking works in South C. Speaking to our team alongside Deputy Secretary General Safia Verjee, Governor Sakaja commended Kenya Red Cross for being on the frontline of disaster preparedness and response. We continue to work closely with county and national government to safeguard communities ahead of the rains.

This morning, KRCS responded to a fire incident at Hill School, Eldoret, which broke out at around 5am and affected a dormitory housing some 340 Form 3 and 4 students. The fire has since been contained. No injuries were reported, as all students were in morning preps at the time. KRCS is working alongside the Uasin Gishu County Coordinator, Police, Fire Brigade and community members in the response. Psychosocial support is being provided to affected students, alongside a rapid needs assessment to establish the extent of damage and inform the appropriate course of action.

Kisumu Building Collapse Update Alongside a multi-agency response team, we have attended to eight injured people. Six were treated on site, while two in critical condition were referred to hospital. All residents have been successfully evacuated.

SAFETY OF DAMS IS KEY NOW THAT EL NINO PHENOMENON IS HERE Today, I met officers from the @KenyaRedCross and @WRA_KEN to discuss El Niño preparedness, with a particular focus on strengthening the safety of dams across the country. As we prepare for adverse weather, we must prioritise regular inspections, emergency preparedness, public warnings and modern monitoring systems to safeguard lives and communities. There is need for stronger collaboration between the @NWHSA_KE and WRA to harmonise dam safety standards, strengthen regulatory requirements, share information and guide the Water Sector on dam safety. The 2018 National Task Force on Dam Safety highlighted significant gaps in the regulation and monitoring of dams and pans across the country. These gaps require urgent attention. I therefore advocate for the assessment and proper registration of existing dams, including accurate coordinates and geo-referencing, to facilitate identification and emergency response. The Authority will also explore a free online dam registration platform to support comprehensive mapping and improve preparedness. Dam safety is a shared responsibility. Through coordinated action, we can prevent disasters, protect lives and strengthen Kenya’s resilience to extreme weather events. #DamSafety #ElNinoPreparedness #WaterSecurity #NWHSA

A phone rings. A volunteer picks up their kit before they finish their tea. This is the life of a Kenya Red Cross volunteer, always on standby, always ready to move. El Niño is here, the rains haven't fallen yet, but they are already prepositioned, trained and waiting. Meet the people behind the response.

Our Africa Regional Director, @MamadouSowICRC, concluded his Kenya visit with a courtesy call to @KenyaRedCross Secretary General, @IrshadIdris. He appreciated their efforts and recognised their strong capacity and influence locally and across the region.

The Kenya Red Cross Society has recorded 634 suicide-related crisis calls through its mental health support hotline since the beginning of the year, highlighting the scale of distress among Kenyans seeking help. the-star.co.ke/news/2026-09-…

Today, I held discussions with officials from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), led by the Head of North Rift Region Mr. Oscar Okumu, alongside Regional Disaster Management Officer Mr. Robert Githinji. Our discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the County Government of Nandi and the Kenya Red Cross Society, particularly in areas that enhance community resilience and emergency response capacity. We reviewed progress towards the establishment of the KRCS Nandi Branch on the parcel of land allocated to the Society by the County Government, as well as ongoing efforts to facilitate the processing and issuance of the title deed for the property. We also received an update on projects being implemented under the KRCS Nandi County Memorandum of Understanding, including the Y-Adapt Youth Project and the REACH Health Project, both of which are contributing to community development. Discussions further explored ways of strengthening our preparedness and response systems, including the prepositioning of essential emergency response supplies within the County, deployment of a dedicated KRCS response vehicle to Nandi and the rehabilitation of identified water points through a long-term Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme. These engagements are important in ensuring that our institutions remain coordinated, responsive and adequately equipped to serve our people, while continuously strengthening the systems that safeguard and improve the wellbeing of our communities.

"This year alone, our Hotline 1199 received 𝟳,𝟯𝟵𝟰 calls for mental health support, 𝟲𝟯𝟰 of them suicide-related crisis calls, all responded to and averted," said Joe Mbalu, KRCS Deputy Secretary General, Programmes, speaking today at the National Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 in Nairobi. The event, themed "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," also marked the launch of the Handbook on Suicide Prevention for Religious Leaders, developed by the Ministry of Health with the Interreligious Council of Kenya. “Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved by the health sector alone," said Dr. Mercy Karanja, Head of the Division of Mental Health, Ministry of Health. Keynote speaker Prof. Frank Njenga, Chairman of Chiromo Hospital Group, put it simply: "there is no health without mental health."

Is Kenya ready for El Niño? Our Secretary General, Dr @IrshadIdris, joins @NationAfrica X Spaces TODAY at 7:30PM EAT to discuss preparedness. Tune in 🎙️ #ElNinoPreparedness

Kenya is bracing for enhanced rainfall during the October–December 2026 short-rains season, with government and counties stepping up preparedness, early-warning systems and disaster-response measures. But what does this mean for you, your family and your community? And are we doing enough before the rains arrive? Tonight on @NationAfrica X Spaces, we bring together experts in weather forecasting, public health, disaster preparedness and environmental conservation to unpack Kenya's readiness for the anticipated El Niño rains. Join us: nitter.net/i/spaces/1PKqrNR… @stephenmuleshe @climate_maggie @KenyaRedCross @MeteoKenya @MOH_Kenya @LilysNjeru @Wanja_Mbuthia

Urgent Blood Appeal A patient at M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi, is in urgent need of blood O+. To donate, please call +254 705 928 239.