Kisumu: A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-backed project is arming the flood-prone lakeside county of Kisumu with cutting-edge tools to predict disasters, protect lives, and guide sustainable growth. Through the partnership, the county is implementing a multi-million-shilling initiative that uses drones and digital mapping to monitor risk zones and predict disasters before they strike.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project, dubbed ‘Strengthening Urban Resilience to Emerging Disaster and Climate Risks’, aims to build Kisumu’s capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disasters, particularly floods, which remain the city’s most persistent threat. The programme, funded by the Governments of Denmark and South Korea, runs until March 2026 and targets urban centres vulnerable to climate impacts such as floods, heat waves, and environmental degradation.
As part of the programme, Kisumu’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is being equipped with a flood-mapping drone and 3D modelling software capable of providing real-time data and imagery of flood-prone areas. The technology will enable officials to assess the extent of flooding, map critical infrastructure, and plan emergency responses faster and more accurately.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Public Service, Administration and Participatory Development (CECM), Mr Salmon Orimba, who is also in charge of disaster management, the new system is a game-changer for Kisumu city and other urban centers which have long relied on manual monitoring and late warnings. ‘For the first time, we’ll have real-time visibility of risk-prone areas. This means faster, evidence-based responses that can save lives and protect livelihoods. The integration of drone technology into our disaster management framework marks a turning point for Kisumu,’ said Orimba.
Beyond immediate response, the drone data, he added, will feed into Kisumu’s long-term planning, informing safer housing schemes, drainage upgrades, and protection of wetlands that act as natural flood buffers. To give impetus to the initiative, Orimba said five technical officers from the County Government have completed professional training to acquire Remote Pilot Licenses (RPL), a requirement of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) for drone operators.
The training, conducted by Drone Space, a KCAA-accredited firm, included classroom and field sessions on flight operations, safety procedures, and aerial mapping. He said once certified, the officers will form Kisumu’s first in-house drone mapping and risk analysis team, responsible for continuous data collection, geospatial analysis, and risk monitoring to ensure the system remains operational after external support ends.
The initiative, he added, aligns with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o’s broader vision to make Kisumu a model of climate-smart urban development. Last year, the county administration signed the Making Cities Resilient (MCR) 2030 framework with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) – a global pledge to embed disaster resilience into city planning. Under the framework, Orimba said, Kisumu has stepped up investments in early warning systems, drainage rehabilitation, and community awareness campaigns designed to reduce the impact of extreme weather.
Raphael Mutitu, UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Specialist, said the partnership reflects the agency’s commitment to placing innovation directly in the hands of local actors. ‘By investing in tools, data, and capacity, we are building a foundation for sustained resilience where counties like Kisumu can anticipate risks before they escalate into disasters,’ Mr Mutitu said. He added that the partnership targets matching new technology with local skills and governance to translate data into action within the devolved units.