If you have been telling yourself you will sort out that leaking roof or blocked drain when the rains start, this is your sign to stop postponing it.
Kenya is expecting above average rainfall during the October to December 2026 rainy season as El Niño strengthens. Some areas are expected to receive prolonged wet spells, while others face risks including flooding, landslides and storm related damage.
We all know how famous Kenyans are with last minute rushes, but this is the one instance where you do not need to wait for the first serious downpour to find out whether your house is ready.
A few simple checks and repairs now can save you from expensive damage later.
Start with the roof
Your roof is the first line of defence against heavy rain, so start there by checking for loose or damaged mabati, broken tiles, holes, rusted sections and places where water has previously leaked. Pay particular attention to roof valleys, joints and areas around chimneys, vents and other openings.
If you already have a leak, repair it now. A small leak during ordinary rainfall can become a much bigger problem when rain is heavier and lasts for several hours.
Also check whether branches from nearby trees are hanging over the roof. Heavy rain and strong winds can bring weak branches down, potentially damaging the roof or blocking gutters.
If you are not comfortable getting onto the roof yourself, get someone qualified to inspect it. Seriously, a wet roof is not the place to discover that you are afraid of heights.
Clean your gutters and drainage
Blocked gutters are one of the easiest problems to prevent and one of the most annoying to discover during a downpour.
Remove leaves, mud, plastic and other debris from gutters and downpipes. Make sure water can actually flow through the system rather than spilling over the sides of the house.
Then look at the drainage around your compound. Where does rainwater go when it falls?
If it collects next to the foundation, flows towards the front door or backs up in the compound, deal with the problem before the heavy rains arrive.
Do not assume that because a drain is there, it is working. Pour some water through it and see where it goes.
Check where water can enter your house
Walk around your home and look for possible entry points. Check doors, windows, basement areas, garages and low sections of walls. If your house is in an area that floods easily, consider practical ways of keeping water out, such as improving drainage, sealing gaps or using appropriate flood barriers.
Do not create a new problem while trying to solve an old one. Blocking a drainage channel or diverting water into your neighbour’s compound may simply move the flooding elsewhere.
Move important documents somewhere safe
Floodwater can destroy documents that are difficult or expensive to replace.
Keep important papers such as birth certificates, academic certificates, title documents, insurance papers, passports and other essential records in waterproof folders or bags.
Do not leave them in a drawer on the floor. If possible, keep important documents somewhere elevated and make secure digital copies of those you may need urgently.
The same applies to sentimental items such as old photographs and family records. If losing it would break your heart, do not store it at the lowest point in the house.
Protect electronics and valuables
If you live in an area that has flooded before, think about what would happen if water entered your house tonight.
Move electronics, appliances, furniture and other valuables away from areas where water could reach them.
Do not leave extension cables, sockets or electrical equipment sitting on the floor in a flood prone room. If water begins entering the house, avoid contact with electrical equipment and DO NOT attempt to switch off electricity while standing in water. If it can be done safely, switch off the main power and seek professional assistance.
Prepare for power outages
Because heavy rain usually comes with power interruptions, particularly when storms damage infrastructure, keep torches where you can find them easily. Charge your power banks before a storm and keep spare batteries if you use battery powered devices.
It is also worth having a simple alternative source of lighting rather than relying entirely on your phone’s flashlight.
If you have young children, elderly family members or anyone who needs electrically powered equipment, think about what you would do during a prolonged outage.
Preparation becomes much easier when you are doing it at 4 p.m. on a dry afternoon rather than at midnight in the dark.
Be careful with floodwater
Floodwater is not simply rainwater. It can contain sewage, waste, chemicals and other contaminants. It may also conceal open drains, broken infrastructure, sharp objects and other hazards.
Avoid walking through floodwater whenever possible, especially if the water is moving quickly.
Keep children away from flooded areas and do not allow them to play in floodwater. And if water enters your home, prioritise getting people to safety rather than trying to rescue furniture, electronics or other possessions.
Have an evacuation plan
If you live in an area that has flooded before, or near a river, steep slope or other high risk area, discuss what you would do if you had to leave your home quickly.
Know where you would go and which route you would use.
Think particularly about children, older family members, people with disabilities and pets. A route that looks easy during normal weather may not be safe during a flood. Also keep emergency contacts somewhere everyone in the household can access.
And do not wait until water is already inside the house before deciding whether you should leave.
If you live near a slope, take landslides seriously
Heavy rainfall can saturate the ground and increase the risk of landslides in vulnerable areas. Look out for warning signs around your home, including new cracks in walls or the ground, unusual movement of soil, leaning trees or poles and changes in water flow.
If you live on or below a steep slope and notice signs that the ground is becoming unstable, do not dismiss them. Worry less about the house, as it can be repaired. A landslide can be much harder to escape once it starts.
Put together a basic emergency kit
You do not need an expensive survival kit. Start with things your household would genuinely need if you were stuck at home for a day or had to leave quickly.
Keep drinking water, some non perishable food, a torch, batteries, a charged power bank, basic first aid supplies, soap and other hygiene items, essential medication, a change of clothes and waterproof bags in an accessible place.
Keep copies of important documents and a list of emergency contacts where they can be found quickly.
The goal is not to prepare for the apocalypse but to avoid searching the house for a torch while rainwater is flowing through the sitting room.
What if you are renting?
You do not have to own a house to prepare it for heavy rain. As a tenant, you can clean accessible gutters and drains where appropriate, move valuables away from flood prone areas, protect your documents and report leaks, structural problems and drainage issues to your landlord or property manager immediately.
Take photographs of serious problems you report, particularly leaks, flooding or structural damage.
And do not carry out major alterations to the property without the landlord’s permission.
If a problem requires professional repair, report it early rather than waiting until the damage becomes impossible to ignore.
If your home starts flooding
Your first priority should be people and not property. Move children and vulnerable household members to a safe location. Avoid walking through moving water and keep away from electrical equipment that has been exposed to water.
If the situation is becoming dangerous, leave early and move to safer, higher ground rather than waiting for the water to rise further.
Do not drive through flooded roads simply because another vehicle has managed to pass. Water can be deeper or moving faster than it appears.
Do this before the rains intensify
You do not need to do everything in one day. Start with the things that could cause the most damage: repair the roof, clear gutters and drainage, identify where water collects around your home, protect important documents and make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if flooding occurs.
El Niño is already established, and Kenya is expecting a wetter than usual October to December period. That does not mean every home will flood, but it does mean this is a sensible time to prepare.
The best time to discover a problem with your drainage is before the rain arrives. And if you have already read our guide on when El Niño is expected to affect Kenya and how long it could last, this is the next step: turning the forecast into something practical for your household.
