BACKGROUND OF NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT UNIT (NDMU)

In the past, Kenya has experienced many hazardous and emergency events that have led to loss of lives, displacement of people and property destruction. In most of those incidences there was lack of proper leadership, coordination, command and control. There were existing gaps in disaster risk management and lack of use of best practice in management of emergencies and disaster.

It is in this view that H.E The President of The Republic of Kenya, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Force of the Republic of Kenya, directed the establishment of an inter-agency unit led by the National Police Service collaborating with stakeholders before, during and after emergency and disasters in Kenya.

The National Disaster Management Unit was established by a Presidential Directive communicated through letter Ref. No. CAB/NSC/14/2/32 dated 8th August, 2013 as an effective and competent disaster management unit with an established command structure, budget and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on best practices. The unit together with stakeholders formulated the National Emergency / Disaster Plan and SOPs which were signed on 27th June 2014. The plan and SOPs recognizes the existence of other National and contingency plans. The National plan and SOPs is anchored in the medium term plan phase two of vision 2030 where it promotes safety, security and protecting Kenyan assets from adverse impacts of hazards and disasters.