Nairobi County's Green Army sanitation crews returned to Waudo Street in Eastleigh on October 7, 2026, to resume their drainage cleanup efforts. The team was accompanied by City Askaris, also known as Kanjos, who detained several women running small restaurants along the road. These women were accused of dumping waste into the drainage channels, which hindered earlier cleaning efforts.
The Green Army's renewed effort aims to clear blocked drainage channels ahead of the expected El Niño rains. Earlier cleaning efforts were hampered by roadside structures and repeated dumping of waste into the drains, leaving behind sludge and garbage. Residents had complained that the initial cleanup left large amounts of waste in the drains, creating the impression of cleared channels while water flow remained obstructed.
The Eastleigh Business Community's CEO, Mohamed Adan, expressed concerns that traders rebuilding structures over drainage lines undermine the county's preparation for heavy rains. However, he emphasized that the community does not support demolition of existing buildings. A consultative meeting between the Eastleigh Business Community and the national El Niño multi-agency team highlighted drainage blockage as a key concern for rain-ready measures.
Despite the previous week's work, residents claimed that the drains were still full of waste. One resident, Mohamed Abdirahman, and another, Abdirizak Bulle, described the situation as "sad" after demolition of roadside structures. They alleged that the earlier teams had harassed residents and demolished structures in the name of drainage cleaning but failed to do a satisfactory job.
The Green Army workers dug deeper into the channels and removed some of the waste that residents said remained after the first operation. City Askaris accompanied the crews, detaining several women who were accused of dumping waste into the channels. The renewed effort aims to ensure that the drainage channels are clear and functioning properly ahead of the El Niño rains.
The El Niño rains are expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region, and the Green Army's efforts are focused on mitigating the potential risks associated with flooding. The team's work on Waudo Street is part of a broader effort to prepare the city for the anticipated rains. Residents and business owners are being encouraged to cooperate with the Green Army and other authorities to ensure that the city is adequately prepared.
The Green Army's work on Waudo Street is ongoing, with the team continuing to clear blocked drainage channels and remove waste. The effort is being carried out in collaboration with other stakeholders, including the Eastleigh Business Community and the national El Niño multi-agency team. The goal is to ensure that the city is prepared for the El Niño rains and that the risk of flooding is minimized.
Key points
- Green Army resumes drainage cleanup on Waudo Street in Eastleigh ahead of El Niño rains.
- Residents had complained that earlier cleanup efforts were incomplete and left large amounts of waste in the drains.
- The renewed effort aims to mitigate the potential risks associated with flooding during the El Niño rains.
